Beacon Hill Roll Call
Volume 51 – Report No. 41
October 5 – 9, 2026
Copyright © 2026 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved.
THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. During the week of October 5-9, the House met for a total of 21 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 23 minutes.
On November 3, or prior to that for voters who take advantage of early voting between October 17-30, all voters will have the opportunity to vote on nine ballot questions that will become law if approved by the majority of voters.
Secretary of State Bill Galvin has issued an 88-page book via the U.S. mail and online with details about each question. If you would rather not read the entire 88-page book, Beacon Hill Roll Call continues its look at each ballot question over the next several weeks prior to the election. This week’s report includes Questions 4, 5 and 6.
BALLOT QUESTION 4 – Here is a look at Question 4:
QUESTION 4: THIS PROPOSED LAW WOULD PERMIT ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS TO REGISTER TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.
This question asks voters if they approve of allowing an eligible individual to register to vote on Election Day by going to their polling place and presenting proof of residency and signing a written oath. Proof of residency could be a valid photo identification, or documentation showing the individual’s name and the address where the individual resides, including a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, residential lease, wireless telephone statement, paycheck, current student fee statement or other document from a post-secondary school, or another government document or correspondence. The written oath would require the individual to certify that they are a citizen of the United States, are at least 18 years old, are not legally prohibited from voting, and have not and will not vote in the same election at another location. The oath would require the individual to acknowledge that providing false information is a felony punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
WHAT YOUR VOTE DOES:
A “Yes” vote would allow Election Day voter registration.
A “No” vote would make no changes to the laws governing voter registration.
BALLOT QUESTION 5 – Here is a look at Question 5:
QUESTION 5: THIS PROPOSED LAW WOULD LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THE STATE CAN COLLECT EACH YEAR AND PROVIDE THAT THE EXCESS AMOUNT, ABOVE THAT LIMIT, BE REFUNDED TO TAXPAYERS.
This question asks voters if they approve of limiting state revenue in a given year to the net amount of state revenue from the prior year, increased by a rate equal to the average growth of wages and salaries in Massachusetts over the most recent three years. If revenue collected by the state exceeds the limit, the excess amount would be refunded to taxpayers the following year.
WHAT YOUR VOTE DOES:
A “Yes” vote would limit state revenue to the net amount of state revenue from the prior year, increased by a rate equal to the average growth of wages and salaries in Massachusetts over the most recent three years and return the excess amount to taxpayers.
A “No” vote would make no changes to the laws governing the amount of revenue the state can collect.
BALLOT QUESTION 6 – Here is a look at Question 6:
QUESTION 6: THIS PROPOSED LAW WOULD ESTABLISH A “NATURE FOR ALL FUND” THAT WOULD RECEIVE 50% OF STATE TAXES COLLECTED FROM THE SALE AND USE OF SPORTING GOODS, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND GOLF COURSES FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF ITS OPERATION AND 100 PERCENT IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS.
This question asks voters if they approve of establishing a “Nature for All Fund” that, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, would receive 50% of state taxes collected from the sale and use of sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses for the first year of its operation and 100% in subsequent years. The proposed law would allow the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to spend the money in the fund for natural resource conservation and would also allow public and private donations to the fund.
WHAT YOUR VOTE DOES:
A “Yes” vote would create a fund that would be utilized for natural resource conservation.
A “No” vote would make no changes to the laws governing natural resources conservation.
For more information and details on each bill, roll call attendance, and other relevant information, please visit the Wakefield Daily Item at www.localheadlinenews.com