Massachusetts voters are in favor of all proposals on the Massachusetts ballot this fall – except one to roll back the legalization of marijuana, a new poll reveals.
A University of Massachusetts poll, released Oct. 19, found that 61% of Massachusetts voters are definitely or probably going to vote no on Question 8, which would repeal the laws that legalize the retail sale of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts. 31% say they would probably vote yes, while 5% are undecided.
The results might be because Massachusetts voters generally think legal marijuana has positively impacted many aspects of society. According to a subsequent UMass poll released Oct. 21, over half of Massachusetts voters think the legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts has been positive for the state’s economy, tax revenue, local communities and criminal justice system.
The only area where voters are split is on the impact legalization has had on young people: 39% think it’s been positive, 30% say neither positive nor negative and 31% think it’s been negative.
Despite support for recreational marijuana, most Massachusetts voters surveyed say they do not currently use marijuana. Just a quarter said they occasionally or regularly use the drug.
The polls interviewed 800 Massachusetts registered voters from Oct. 5-12. They have a margin of error of 4.2%.
Which ballot questions are likely to pass?
The marijuana ballot question is just one of nine proposals to appear on the ballot this fall.
According to the October UMass poll, over 60% of voters said they would probably or definitely vote for the questions that would expand the public records law, allow same day voter registration, create a conservation fund, change zoning requirements to allow smaller single family homes and uphold gun control laws.
A few were less popular. Here are all nine in order of how they will appear on the ballot and how the poll said residents will vote on them.
Question 1: Expanding the Public Records Law
84% support, 6% oppose, 8% undecided
This proposal, backed by Massachusetts Auditor Diana DiZoglio, would make most records held by the governor’s office and Legislature subject to the state’s public records law.
Question 2: Collective bargaining for CPCS employees
53% support, 19% oppose, 14% undecided
This proposal would allow employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, which includes lawyers who represent criminal defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, to form a union.
49% support, 39% oppose, 9% undecided
This proposal would make Massachusetts’ state elections, starting in 2028, an all-party primary like Boston uses. Candidates of all parties would be on a single ballot in the primary, with the top-two finishers, regardless of party, advancing to the general elections.
67% support, 26% oppose, 6% undecided
This question, proposed by Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, would allow eligible Massachusetts voters to register to vote or update their registration at the polls on Election Day – also known as same-day voter registration.
Question 5: State revenue limit and rebate
58% support, 20% oppose, 13% undecided
This question would change the limit on state tax revenues so that annual revenue growth is tied to the average growth of wages and salaries in the state over the previous three years. Any revenue collected above the limit would be refunded to taxpayers.
Question 6: Natural Resource Conservation Fund
70% support, 19% oppose, 8% undecided
This proposed law would establish a “Nature for All Fund” that would receive 50% of state taxes from sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses. The money would be used for natural resource conservation, such as protecting green spaces and bodies of water.
65% support, 21% oppose, 10% undecided
Pushed as an initiative to make more affordable “starter homes,” this law would allow single-family homes to be built on lots as small as 5,000 square feet, provided they have at least a little room between the road.
31% support, 61% oppose, 5% undecided
While Massachusetts has increasingly legalized marijuana in recent years, this question would repeal provisions in the current law that allow for the drug to be sold commercially in the state and change the penalties for the possession of marijuana.
70% support, 21% oppose, 7% undecided
This is a referendum question on the 2024 gun reform law known as Chapter 135 that strengthened Massachusetts gun regulations. A yes vote would uphold the law, while a no vote would repeal it.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Why Massachusetts voters don’t want to roll back legal marijuana
