Election 2012: State Ballot Question Results

Question 1: Right to Repair

Voters approved the “Right to Repair” ballot question, which would give consumers more choices when fixing a car in today's election.

According to numbers on boston.com, 85 percent of voters approved the question, with 51 percent of the state reporting at 10:15 p.m.

The initiative requires automakers to make computer software codes for repairs more accessible to independent repair shops and car owners by 2015. But in July, state legislators devised a compromise that would give carmakers until 2018 to comply with the new law, according to a Boston Globe report.

By approving Question 1, voters trumped that compromise and enacted the “Right to Repair” act as written on the ballot. 

“Voters sent a clear message to automakers—it’s my car, I paid for it, I’ll get it fixed where I want, not where some big corporation tells me to,” said Art Kinsman of the Massachusetts Right to Repair Committee Tuesday night. “Right to Repair is about true ownership. When you buy a car from a manufacturer’s dealer, you ought to have the information necessary to fix that vehicle. Technology should never leave the rights of car owner behind.”

Question 2: Death with Dignity

Widely referred to as a question to support assisted suicide, the "Death with Dignity" ballot initiative would allow doctors to prescribe medication that a patient could take to end their own lives.

As of 11 p.m., the question is too close to call—51 percent in favor, 49 percent against—with 67 percent of the state reporting results.

Question 3: Medical Marijuana

You may be able to use marijuana legally, if your doctor determines that it will help with your medical condition.

Voters approved Question 3, which will allow doctors to prescribe marijuana as part of a treatment, Tuesday.

With 51 percent of the state reporting at 10:15 p.m., boston.com reported that 63 percent voted in favor of the medical marijuana question.

Massachusetts is the 18th state to legalize medical marijuana. According to the Boston Globe, under the new law, patients with HIV, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, or other conditions can obtain a card from the state allowing them to purchase the drug.