Massachusetts Votes “Yes,” On Ballot Questions 1 And 4

The questions addressed tax hikes for the wealthy, and driver’s licenses for the undocumented.

On election night, a crowd of eager voters gathered to watch as it was revealed whether Massachusetts ballot questions 1 and 4 would pass.  

Those in attendance at the Colonnade Hotel had spent many long months organizing and campaigning for “yes,” votes. 

“It’s about making a fairer tax system for all of Massachusetts,” said Jeron Mariani, manager of the Yes On One campaign.

Yes On One, and its partner, the Raise Up Coalition, organized one of the largest campaigns for Question 1, also known as the Fair Share Amendment.

The amendment would levy an additional 4% tax on household income over $1 million. Money collected from the increase would go towards funding public education and transportation.

“Right now, the wealthiest residents in Massachusetts are paying closer to 6% of their personal income, whereas working people are paying closer to 9%, even 10%,” said Mariani.

Question 1 passed with 52% of the vote.

Just as Question 1 attempted to even the playing field for Massachusetts’ working-class citizens, Question 4 advocated for those living in the state illegally.

Question 4 would grant immigrants lacking permanent legal status the ability to acquire a driver’s license. It would do so by prohibiting registrars from inquiring about an applicant’s citizenship status when applying for a license.

“I’m a chef, and we have a lot of folks that work in our industry that are sometimes here without status,” said Rachael Collins, a volunteer who campaigned on Question 4, “They need a safe way to get to and from work,”

According to Collins, her coworkers have shown significant support for Question 4.

“The number one thing they keep saying is, ‘We need a license, we need a license, we need a license,’” she said.

Question 4 also passed, with just over 53% of the vote.

Both questions 1 and 4 received support from some of Massachusetts’ most powerful politicians. 

Senator Ed Markey was in attendance at the Colonnade’s election night event. He reiterated sentiments shared by volunteers who’d spent election season embroiled in hard-fought campaigns.

“On the ballot, on Question 1, was justice. On the ballot, on Question 2, was justice,” Markey said. 

Questions 1 and 4 were two contentious issues in a historic election for Massachusetts. Also passed was ballot question 2, which reformed dental insurance by instating a medical loss ratio.

The medical loss ratio would require insurance companies to spend a higher percentage of customer premiums—83%—on patient care. It would make the finances of dental insurers more transparent to the public.

In addition, Massachusetts celebrated many notable firsts. 

Maura Healey, Massachusetts’ current attorney general, was elected governor. The win makes her the first woman elected to the position, as well as the state’s first openly lesbian governor.

Andrea Campbell, who formerly served as president of Boston’s City Council, was elected attorney general. She is the first woman of color to win a statewide election in Massachusetts.

Overall, Massachusetts saw numerous victories for left-leaning politicians and policies, in an election initially anticipated to be a “red wave."