2002 Massachusetts ballot measures

The Massachusetts general election held on November 5, 2002, included three ballot measures that were voted on by the public.

The Constitution of Massachusetts can be amended through initiative, and state statutes can be proposed through initiative. The first two ballot measures were citizen-initiated and proposed statutes (not constitutional amendments). The third ballot measure was a non-binding Legislative Advisory Question, placed on the ballot by the state legislature.

In Massachusetts, after the state determines which measures will appear on the ballot, official names are assigned to each question. The Secretary of the Commonwealth has discretion over the ordering of questions on the ballot.

Ballot questions

Question 1 – Eliminating State Personal Income Tax

A YES VOTE would eliminate any state personal income tax for income or other gain realized on or after July 1, 2003.

A NO VOTE would make no change in state tax laws.

Question 2 – English Language Education in Public Schools

A YES VOTE would require that, with limited exceptions, all public school children must be taught English by being taught all subjects in English and being placed in English language classrooms.

A NO VOTE would make no changes in English language education in public schools.

Question 3 – Taxpayer Funding for Political Campaigns

A YES VOTE would advise that the voters favor taxpayer money being used to fund political campaigns for public office in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

A NO VOTE would advise that the voters do not favor taxpayer money being used to fund political campaigns for public office in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Source:[1]

Results

Number	Title	Type	Subject	Result[2]	Ref.
Question 1	Eliminating State Personal Income Tax	Initiative Petition	Taxes	N Failed (48%–40%)	[3]
Question 2	English Language Education in Public Schools	Initiative Petition	Education	Y Passed (61%–29%)	[4]
Question 3	Taxpayer Funding for Political Campaigns	Advisory Question	Taxes, Elections	N Failed (66%–23%)	[5]

See also

• Massachusetts ballot measures, 2000
• Massachusetts ballot measures, 2006
  • There were no ballot measures in 2004.

References

1. "BALLOT QUESTIONS". The Boston Globe. October 29, 2002. p. F.5. Retrieved March 10, 2018 – via pqarchiver.com.
2. "Statewide Ballot Questions — Statistics by Year: 2002". sec.state.ma.us. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
3. "2002 Information For Voters – QUESTION 1: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition". sec.state.ma.us. 2002. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
4. "2002 Information For Voters – QUESTION 2: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition". sec.state.ma.us. 2002. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
5. "2002 Information For Voters – QUESTION 3: Non-binding Advisory Question". sec.state.ma.us. 2002. Retrieved March 10, 2018.

Further reading

Editorial positions of The Boston Globe

• "NO ON QUESTION 1 ELIMINATING THE INCOME TAX". The Boston Globe. October 28, 2002. p. A.14. Retrieved March 10, 2018 – via pqarchiver.com.
• "NO ON QUESTION 2 ENGLISH IMMERSION". The Boston Globe. October 28, 2002. p. A.14. Retrieved March 10, 2018 – via pqarchiver.com.
• "YES ON QUESTION 3 CLEAN ELECTIONS". The Boston Globe. October 28, 2002. p. A.14. Retrieved March 10, 2018 – via pqarchiver.com.