Politics

State Auditor Diana DiZoglio now has the power to audit the state Legislature after a ballot question.

Massachusetts voters have officially voted “Yes” on Question 1, allowing the state auditor to audit the state legislature.

The measure passed with 71.4 percent of the vote, with 63.43 percent of precincts reporting as of 11:54 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio said she believes the government can do “amazing things” after the AP confirmed the results.

“Tonight’s victory is an opportunity for all of us to look ahead and work to improve our Legislature,” DiZoglio said in a statement. “The people of Massachusetts want the equality, transparency and accountability that a legislative audit would bring, not because of divisions or partisan lines, but because of our great potential to move forward together.”

Previously, the state legislature was the only statewide entity that was not audited. DiZoglio has been pushing for this power since last year, against opposition from lawmakers.

What does question 1 do?

The question proposed adding language to the Massachusetts General Laws that explicitly gives the auditor the authority to audit the legislature. The previous wording stated that the auditor may review “all departments, offices, commissions, agencies and activities of the Commonwealth.”

Supporters of the measure believe a “yes” to Question 1 could bring some order to a Legislature plagued by criticism of its efficiency.

“Legislative leaders argue that it is sufficient for the Legislature to police itself through a purchased private vendor,” advocates said in a statement presented to voters. “However, the Massachusetts legislature is consistently ranked as one of the least effective, least transparent legislatures in America and is one of only four legislatures to exempt itself from public records laws.”

The Boston SphereThe editorial board chimed in with a “yes” vote on Question 1, criticizing the effectiveness of the state legislature and claiming that an accountant would “shine a little light” on the ins and outs of the state agency.

Opponents said giving the auditor this power would violate the separation of powers enshrined in the Massachusetts Constitution. Jerol Duquette, co-founder and senior contributor of MassPoliticsProfs, led the opposition. He said Tuesday evening that the results were “expected.”

“The legislature will abolish it,” he said. “The legislature will resist, and if the accountant tries to get a court order, they will have to take them to court.”

Duquette said he believes the Legislature will allow the issue to go to trial. He also claimed the measure is “unconstitutional,” saying DiZoglio knows that.

“But she won’t say it on the ballot,” he said of DiZoglio.

Now that the measure has passed, state lawmakers have four options should an audit cross their desks. They could grant DiZoglio’s new authority and allow her to audit it, reject the measure but still comply with the audit, reject the measure and fail to comply, or outright ignore any potential audit request.

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Eva Levin is a general assignment co-op for Boston.com. She covers breaking and local news in Boston and beyond.

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