Massachusetts State Ballot Questions

Massachusetts voters will decide on nine ballot questions during the upcoming midterm elections.

The questions cover topics such as public records, election laws, state revenue, and housing.

Proposals also include changes to collective bargaining rights, marijuana sales, and firearm restrictions.

Question's 7-8 outlined in this post

Question 7: Single family homes

This law aims to legalize starter homes, or single family homes and standardizing the limit of the lot size they are constructed in to at least 5,000 square feet, or 0.1 acres. Proponents of the law say the yes vote will make more affordable housing options available for young families and seniors during a time when the state and country at large deals with a housing crisis.

• Boston Exemption: Boston is exempt because it is governed by its own unique municipal zoning rules and does not fall under Chapter 40A (the state Zoning Act that Question 7 amends).
• Minimum Lot Size: The measure requires municipalities to allow single-family homes on residentially zoned lots that are at least 5,000 square feet.
• Street Frontage & Utilities: Affected lots must have at least 50 feet of frontage on a street or public way and direct access to public water and sewer services (it does not apply to properties using private wells or septic tanks).
• Local Controls Retained: Cities and towns still keep the authority to regulate non-lot-size aspects such as building height, setbacks, bulk, parking requirements, open space, and short-term rental restrictions.

The argument against this states that local municipalities should be able to set these limits instead of a one-size fits all rule for the state.

A "yes" vote would standardize lot size, while a "no" vote will leave the state's policies unchanged.

Question 8: Prohibiting retail sale of recreational marijuana

This question would backtrack on Massachusetts’s recent trend of increasingly legalizing marijuana by instead repealing provisions in the current law that allow for the drug to be sold commercially in the state.

This law will reduce the limit of recreational marijuana adults can possess in the state to 1 ounce, with penalties and seizures associated with higher amounts. Higher restrictions and penalties will apply to minors below the age of 18.

A "yes" vote would prohibit the sale of recreational marijuana. A "no" vote will keep existing laws in place.