Mass. Voters Pass Question 2, Express Support Of Long Shot Mission To Repeal Citizens United

Massachusetts voters passed Question 2, sending a signal from the state that residents here do not support Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

The vote, which mandates a 15-member commission of Massachusetts residents form to explore a path to repeal the hotly debated 2010 Supreme Court decision, was not surprising.

While proponents hope for the eventual nullification of Citizens United, their main intentions behind this ballot measure were mostly seen as symbolic: A constitutional amendment would be needed to repeal the law that allows corporations to spend unlimited funds on political campaigns — an outcome that is widely seen as a long shot.

"It's a protest vote, for sure," Tom Connolly, a 71-year-old Salem resident, told WBUR's Callum Borchers in late September.

Voters who opposed the measure were less interested in Massachusetts creating governmental bodies for symbolic gestures.

"I don't think we need to start any new committees," said Jay Dennehy, of East Bridgewater, who voted 'no' on Question 2 Tuesday. "We don't need to be spending any more money."

Regardless, Question 2 has spurred new conversations about money in politics.