1976 Massachusetts Question 1

Referendum protecting equal rights November 2025 November 2025 2 November 1976 Massachusetts Do you approve of the adoption of an amendment to the Constitution summarized below, which was approved by the General Court in joint sessions of the House of Representatives and Senate on August 15, 1973, by a vote of 261-0, and on May 14, 1975, by a vote of 217-55?2 The proposed amendment would provide that equality under the law may not be denied or abridged on the basis of sex, race, color, creed or national origin. This amendment adds one sentence to Article I of Part the First of the Constitution which now contains a general statement of individual rights, including the right to enjoy and defend life and liberty and the right to acquire and protect property. Votes on Question No. 1–Proposed Amendment to the Constitution https://electionstats.state.ma.us/data/serve_file_pages_for_item/4708/BallotQuestion/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250513230118/https://electionstats.state.ma.us/data/serve_file_pages_for_item/4708/BallotQuestion/ 13 May 2025 23 November 2025 PD43+ 1445066 945789 300px County results 300px Municipality results Yes #B6C8D9 50-60% #7D9CBB 60-70% #47729E 70-80% #28497C 80-90% #2B2457 90-100% No #DEDEBD 50-60% 1976 Massachusetts Question 1 was a proposed amendment to the Constitution of Massachusetts to provide that equality of rights under the law cannot be denied or abridged on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, or national origin. The amendment passed, receiving 60.44% of the vote, and the backing of all 14 counties. Background The amendment was on the ballot as the federal Equal Rights Amendment was being debated.27 October 1976 Referendum Questions Highlight Ballot https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/842855851/ 23 November 2025 Newspapers Valley Advocate The resolution that placed the measure on the ballot was approved in joint sessions by the General Court on August 15, 1973, and on May 14, 1975. In 1973, the vote was 261 to 0, and in 1975, the vote was 217 to 55.Votes on Question No. 1–Proposed Amendment to the Constitution https://electionstats.state.ma.us/data/serve_file_pages_for_item/4708/BallotQuestion/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250513230118/https://electionstats.state.ma.us/data/serve_file_pages_for_item/4708/BallotQuestion/ 13 May 2025 23 November 2025 PD43+ Viewpoints Politicians Representative Margaret Heckler supported the measure, and believed that the passage "would rejuvenate" the national movement for the federal Equal Rights Amendment. Heckler, noting that similar amendments had previously failed in New York and New Jersey, believed that in those states, "proponents thought the case for an Equal Rights Amendment was so strong and so persuasive that they didn't have to articulate it. We learned from their mistakes. We brought the debate out into the open."3 November 1976 Bottle referendum just misses; ERA amendment wins https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/436145365/ 23 November 2025 Newspapers The Boston Globe Governor Michael Dukakis, after the amendment passed, said, "I feel good, but my wife feels very good. They [other states] are always looking at Massachusetts as an unusual place. Maybe this time they will follow us."Seligman Nicole Weisman Richard S. 3 November 1976 Most Massachusetts Incumbents Win; Voters Adopt Equal Rights Amendment https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1976/11/3/most-massachusetts-incumbents-win-voters-adopt/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250325093338/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1976/11/3/most-massachusetts-incumbents-win-voters-adopt/ 25 March 2025 22 November 2025 The Harvard Crimson Editorials The Boston Globe believed that the amendment should pass, saying, "The rights of citizens are often jeopardized by one force or another in society. The job of the law is to guarantee equal protection by what is written in the statues and by what is determined in court. The proposed amendment makes explicit society's commitment to this notion, and it merits a yes vote."20 October 1976 Mass. ballot issues ... 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/439801864/ 22 November 2025 Newspapers The Boston Globe The Valley Advocate supported a "yes" vote on Question 1, and denied the truthfulness of claims of the opposition, saying, "Contrary to popular opinion, the following areas have nothing to do with the state ERA: abortion, banking and insurance, public restrooms, private education, family life, religion, homosexual marriage, Social Security, and federal military service. Vote YES on Question 1." The Daily Hampshire Gazette backed the amendment, saying, "While we believe the amendment is more a symbolic proposal than a need to provide a new legal ban against discrimination we believe our state should be devoted in word as well as fact to the historic concept of equal protection for all Americans. We recommend a Yes vote."29 October 1976 The questions https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/833630273/ 23 November 2025 Newspapers Daily Hampshire Gazette Pre-election polling A poll conducted on 223 students at the University of Massachusetts found 88% support for the amendment.Odato James 28 October 1976 Students polled favor Carter over Ford https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/840986817/ 23 November 2025 Newspapers The Recorder At Monument Mountain Regional High School, a poll conducted on 418 students, or 58 percent of the student body, resulted in 351 yes votes, and 84 no votes.1 November 1976 Monument Mt. pupils hold mock election https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/532265670/ 23 November 2025 Newspapers The Berkshire Eagle Results CountyYesNo#%#%Barnstable48,29868.8621,84431.14Berkshire38,08959.7525,65840.25Bristol113,50365.3260,26934.68Dukes3,77279.3698120.64Essex167,20158.68117,74041.32Franklin19,27264.6410,54135.36Hampden102,89258.9271,72741.08Hampshire39,49168.2018,41731.80Middlesex373,79760.98239,14339.02Nantucket1,81375.1759924.83Norfolk168,12557.73123,08442.27Plymouth83,24752.4575,45747.55Suffolk112,00855.6689,23544.34Worcester173,55865.5891,09434.42State total1,445,06660.44945,78939.561976 - Statewide - Question 1 https://electionstats.state.ma.us/ballot_questions/view/4708/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250523081957/https://electionstats.state.ma.us/ballot_questions/view/4708/ 23 May 2025 22 November 2025 Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts See also State equal rights amendments References Category:1976 in Massachusetts Category:Referendums in the United States Category:Equal Rights Amendment