MA Voters Will Get 4* Ballot Questions In November Election: See Details

MASSACHUSETTS — The November 2024 election is starting to get exciting — at least in a non-swing state like Massachusetts.

Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin this week certified four questions for voters to answers in November on issues ranging from psychedelics to auditing the state Legislature.

Backers of the four questions had to collect 12,429 to meet the certification threshold. Three of the measures blew that minimum out of the water. Here are the measures and signature totals:

• Allowing State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to complete an audit of the state Legislature, a move opposed by the attorney general and — yeah — state legislators: 21,551 signatures.
• Getting rid of MCAS tests as a requirement to graduate high school in Massachusetts: 21,551 signatures.
• Allow drivers working for Uber and Lyft to form unions: 18,084 signatures.
• Legalizing "natural" psychedelics like mushrooms for therapeutic use: 13,073 signatures.

A fifth measure may appear on the ballot that would allow tipped workers — like waitstaff — to earn the state's full minimum wage of $15 per hour. The tipped minimum wage in Massachusetts is $6.75 per hour right now. The measure has been heavily opposed by industry groups like the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, and opponents allege signature-gathers obtained "fraudulent" signatures.

The effort barely made it over the threshold at 12,565 signatures. The State Ballot Law Commission will meet July 17 to consider a challenge to the signatures, which could reduce the number below 12,429.

The four (maybe five) questions coming to the November ballot started among a group of 38 that cleared a first hurdle in August. The number dropped to six by September, and one of those — an effort to reclassify gig workers to independent contractors backed by gig work companies — didn't make Galvin's final cut.