A guide to the five questions on the Massachusetts ballot this year

Question 1: State Auditor’s authority to audit the Legislature

Question 1 asks voters whether the state Auditor’s powers should be expanded so it can investigate and oversee some of the state Legislature’s activities.

The Auditor, who is an executive branch official, conducts audits of state entities and contractors, such as State Police and the MBTA, to assess their performance and suggest improvements. 

The Auditor cannot currently audit the Legislature without its consent. If given that consent, the Auditor could inspect how state lawmakers spend money and how decisions such as department appointees and legislative rules are made.

Massachusetts’ Auditor, Diana DiZoglio, claims the state has one of the least transparent Legislatures in the country — Massachusetts’ open meeting laws don’t apply to the Legislature, so it can keep its committee votes, for example, private.

DiZoglio argues it’s the Auditor’s job to make the government work better, and to do that, it must be able to “shine a bright light” on the state’s government to increase transparency and accountability. 

Critics are opposed to Question 1 because it goes against the state constitution’s requirement of separation of powers between legislative and executive branches.

Question 2: Elimination of MCAS as high school graduation requirement

Question 2 asks voters whether the state should get rid of the requirement that students pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests in math, science and technology, and English to receive a high school diploma.

A “yes” vote would make it so that students would instead complete their respective district’s required coursework to demonstrate competencies in math, science and technology, English, and any areas the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education requires. 

Supporters of Question 2 argue that removing MCAS as a graduation requirement would allow teachers to stop teaching to a test and would unburden students of the stress of passing a “one-size-fits-all exam that fails to measure other student achievement measures such as GPA.” 

Opposers of Question 2 argue that removing the graduation requirement will increase inequity and would make Massachusetts education less competitive compared to other states. 

Question 3: Unionization for transportation network drivers

Question 3 asks voters whether rideshare drivers, such as those who work for Uber and Lyft, should have the option to form unions so they can negotiate better pay and benefits.

Rideshare drivers are considered independent contractors, a category of workers that isn’t allowed to form a collective bargaining unit under federal law, the Boston Globe reported.

If the proposed law passes, rideshare drivers would have the option to unionize, and they would earn one hour of sick day pay for every 30 hours worked with a maximum of 40 hours per year, the Associated Press reported.

Critics of the proposed law argue a “yes” vote would ultimately raise the prices for all riders to fund the union. 

Question 4: Limited legalization and regulation of certain natural psychedelic substances

Question 4 asks voters whether the state should allow anyone aged 21 and older to use, grow, and possess natural psychedelic substances, such as so-called magic mushrooms, under licensed supervision. 

Several Massachusetts communities, such as Salem, Cambridge, and Somerville, have already decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms, but if passed, this measure would apply statewide. The law would protect the use of psilocybin and psilocin from mushrooms and dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine found in other plants.

The law would create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission to create rules related to licensing, training, and safety. It would also create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Advisory Board that would make recommendations about regulation and taxation issues.

The substances would be subject to the state sales tax and an additional excise tax of 15 percent. Municipalities could impose a separate tax of up to two percent on the products.

If approved, the proposed law would take effect on Dec. 15.

Supporters of a “yes” vote argue that many current medications aren’t effective in treating people who struggle with mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety and psychedelic substances could be an effective alternative.

Critics of the proposed law argue that allowing people to grow the substances in their homes would create a black market and that decriminalizing the substances would increase the number of impaired drivers. 

Question 5: Minimum wage for tipped workers

If passed, this law would gradually increase the minimum hourly wage that an employer must pay a tipped worker to $15.00 per hour over five years. 

Currently, the minimum wage for tipped employees is $6.75 per hour.

The proposal would allow employers to pool tips and distribute them among all workers — including non-tipped workers, such as kitchen staff — if employees are paid at least the state minimum wage.

Supporters of Question 5 argue that tipped workers deserve the full minimum wage on top of tips, and that passing the proposed law would create predictability and stability for those workers. 

Critics of the proposed law argue it is being pushed by out-of-state activists. According to The Massachusetts Restaurant Association, nearly 9 out of every 10 tipped employees oppose the changes included in Question 5, WCVB Boston reported. Critics also argue the proposed law would reduce overall wages for servers, increase costs for restaurants, increase the cost of dining at a restaurant, and force many local restaurants to close.