MCAS, mushrooms, minimum wage and more – NBC Boston

Massachusetts voters weighed in on five ballot questions that could affect everyone from a high school student to a passenger.

Here's a look at the results as they come in.

Jeff Saperstone takes a closer look at the five initiatives on the ballot in Massachusetts this year.

Mass Voting Question 1 – Audit of the Legislature

Question 1 concerns whether the investigative powers of the Office of the State Auditor should be expanded to include oversight of the Legislature. It grew out of an initiative by current auditor Diana DiZoglio, who championed the issue and continues to push the measure.

If passed, some legislative activities would be subject to scrutiny – including compliance with employee training rules, cybersecurity standards and purchasing activities. The comptroller would still not have the authority to audit votes, debates, communications, tasks and policies.

Among five ballot initiatives in Massachusetts, Question 1 asks voters whether the state auditor should have the authority to audit the Legislature.

Mass Voting Question 2 – MCAS as a graduation requirement

Question 2 concerns the elimination of the 10th grade MCAS exam as a graduation requirement for high school students. Currently, public secondary school students must meet graduation requirements and receive an “assessment of competency” in order to graduate. The most common way to achieve this is by passing the 10th grade MCAS exams.

If passed, students would still be required to complete the 10th grade MCAS, but would no longer be required to earn a passing score or other state approval. Instead, districts would set their own graduation criteria, making Massachusetts one of the few states without a common graduation standard.

Should MCAS be eliminated as a graduation requirement in Massachusetts or left as is? Voters will decide in the 2024 election. Follow NBC10 Boston: https://instagram.com/nbc10boston https://tiktok.com/@nbc10boston https://facebook.com/NBC10Boston https://twitter.com/NBC10Boston

Mass Vote Question 3 – Unionizing Rideshare Drivers

Question 3 asks whether rideshare drivers – like those who work for Uber or Lyft – should be able to unionize. If passed, it would allow for industry-specific bargaining, meaning drivers from multiple companies could collectively negotiate for better wages, expanded benefits and other protections that would apply industry-wide.

The bill in question would address how many liquor licenses can be held under a single name.

Mass Voting Question 4 – Legalization of Psychedelic Substances

Question 4 concerns the legalization of certain psychedelic substances that are increasingly being used in clinical research to treat mental illness. If passed, the bill could allow the cultivation, distribution, home use, and delivery of a group of naturally occurring psychedelic medicines (psilocybin, psilocin, mescaline, DMT, and ibogaine) by licensed professionals in a more clinical setting. It would not Make psychedelics available for purchase in retail stores. Adults would have to grow their own plants, find someone willing to share their supply, or use them at a licensed psychedelic therapy center.

Ballot Question 4 will allow voters in Massachusetts to decide whether to legalize and regulate certain psychedelic drugs. Supporters say the hallucinogens have shown promise in research for people battling opioid use disorder and mental illness, among other things, but opponents fear they could be dangerous.

Mass Voting Question 5 – Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees

Question 5 concerns a change in the way tipped employees are paid. Currently, different minimum wage laws apply to servers, bartenders, manicurists, and other types of tipped workers. Tipped workers are guaranteed the full minimum wage ($15 per hour), but employers can only pay them $6.75 per hour provided tips make up the difference.

If passed, restaurants would be allowed to pool or exchange tips with chefs, accountants and others who don't interact directly with customers. This is not permitted under current rules. You could still tip the waiters.

Should tipped workers be paid a minimum wage in Massachusetts? It's on the ballot for the 2024 election, and we dug into the issue to see what supporters and opponents of Ballot Question 5 are. Follow NBC10 Boston: https://instagram.com/nbc10boston https://tiktok.com/@nbc10boston https://facebook.com/NBC10Boston https://twitter.com/NBC10Boston

Discover everything Top election results around Massachusetts and the country here.