2002 Massachusetts Question 2

The Massachusetts English Language Education in Public Schools Initiative, Question 2 was a successful initiative voted on in the Massachusetts general election held on November 5, 2002.^[1] It was one of three 2002 ballot measures put to public vote, and the only one to pass.

Question 2

Massachusetts English Language Education in Public Schools Initiative
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 1,359,935 67.98% No 640,525 32.02% Valid votes 2,000,460 100.00% Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00% Total votes 2,000,460 100.00%
County results Municipality results Precinct results Yes   90–100%   80–90%   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% No   90–100%   80–90%   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% Other   Tie

The initiative was reportedly financed by Silicon Valley multimillionaire Ron Unz,^[2] while it was opposed by the Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Education, Arts and Humanities.^[3]

Voting

Question 2 on the ballot, "English Language Education in Public Schools".^[4]

A YES VOTE would require that, with limited exceptions, all public school children must be taught English by being taught all subjects in English and being placed in English language classrooms.^[3]

A NO VOTE would make no changes in English language education in public schools.^[3]

Response	Votes	%
Yes	1,359,935	61.25%
No	640,525	28.85%
blank	219,841	9.90%

Source:^[4]