Choice and coercion

In a typical election year, a maximum of a half-dozen referendum questions are presented to voters on Election Day. In the past year, as many as 22 propositions had a chance to make the cut for an upcoming Massachusetts election cycle. Still, only six ballot questions, along with a single state constitutional amendment, tallied enough certified voter signatures to move forward. Assuming they clear some additional hurdles, initiatives facing voters in 2016 will include increasing the number of Ch

In a typical election year, a maximum of a half-dozen referendum questions are presented to voters on Election Day. In the past year, as many as 22 propositions had a chance to make the cut for an upcoming Massachusetts election cycle. Still, only six ballot questions, along with a single state constitutional amendment, tallied enough certified voter signatures to move forward. Assuming they clear some additional hurdles, initiatives facing voters in 2016 will include increasing the number of Ch…