The 351

Understanding the Ballot Questions Massachusetts Municipal Leaders Are Watching

Episode Summary

Massachusetts voters will face a record-tying nine initiative petitions on the statewide ballot this November. But three questions in particular could have serious implications for cities and towns: Question 4, which would allow same-day voter registration; Question 5, which would change the way the state’s revenue limit is calculated; and Question 7, which would create statewide zoning rules allowing single-family homes on lots as small as 5,000 square feet. John and Adam are joined by MMA Legislative Director Dave Koffman, MMA Legislative and Policy Council Ali DiMatteo, and MMA Senior Legislative Analyst Adrienne Núñez to explain the ballot initiatives and their potential consequences.

Episode Notes

Massachusetts voters will face a record-tying nine initiative petitions on the statewide ballot this November. But three questions in particular could have serious implications for cities and towns: Question 4, which would allow same-day voter registration; Question 5, which would change the way the state’s revenue limit is calculated; and Question 7, which would create statewide zoning rules allowing single-family homes on lots as small as 5,000 square feet.

John and Adam are joined by MMA Legislative Director Dave Koffman, MMA Legislative and Policy Council Ali DiMatteo, and MMA Senior Legislative Analyst Adrienne Núñez to explain the ballot initiatives and their potential consequences.

In this episode:

• Question 7 and housing: What the so-called “starter homes” ballot question would actually do, and why smaller lots don't necessarily mean more affordable housing.
• Question 5 and state revenues: How Massachusetts' existing “62F” revenue limit works, what the proposed changes would do, and why municipal officials are watching the state's fiscal capacity closely.
• Question 4 and Election Day: What same-day voter registration could mean for municipal clerks and election officials, who are already managing early voting, mail-in voting, provisional ballots, poll workers, equipment, and other Election Day responsibilities.

For Further Reading: 

https://www.mma.org/mma-testifies-at-hearing-on-starter-home-ballot-initiative/

https://ma.omniballot.us/sites/25/vg/app/vig/voter-guide/instructions