In 1918, citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts voted to amend the Massachusetts Constitution by approving Article Forty-Eight, thereby creating the right for citizens to enact a law through the initiative process. An initiative proposal to change an existing law or create a new law, if properly qualified, would be put on the statewide ballot and voted on by the citizens. If a majority approves of an initiative, the proposal becomes law, and is equal in weight to laws that the Legislature passes and the Governor signs. . . .
