A Massachusetts general election was held on November 4, 1986 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The election included:
Democratic and Republican candidates were selected in party primaries held September 16, 1986.
Governor and lieutenant governor
Democrats Michael Dukakis and Evelyn Murphy were elected governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, over Republican candidates George Kariotis and Nicholas Nikitas. Dukakis' victory made him the longest-serving governor in the history of Massachusetts.
Attorney general
1986 Massachusetts Attorney General election |
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Democrat James Shannon was elected attorney general. He defeated former assistant attorney general Joann Shotwell in the Democratic primary and U.S. Attorney Edward Francis Harrington in the general election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
Results
Secretary of the Commonwealth
1986 Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth election |
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Incumbent Secretary of the Commonwealth Michael J. Connolly defeated former State Representative Deborah R. Cochran in the general election.
General election
Candidates
Results
Treasurer and Receiver-General
1986 Massachusetts Treasurer election |
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Incumbent Treasurer and Receiver-General Robert Q. Crane defeated Republican L. Joyce Hampers in the general election.
General election
Candidates
- Robert Q. Crane, incumbent Treasurer since 1964 (Democratic)
- L. Joyce Hampers (Republican)
Results
Massachusetts Treasurer and Receiver-General Election, 1986
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
Democratic
|
Robert Q. Crane (incumbent)
|
931,704
|
57.31%
|
13.11
|
|
Republican
|
L. Joyce Hampers
|
693,750
|
41.67%
|
15.03
|
|
Write-in
|
403
|
0.03%
|
|
Total votes
|
1,625,857
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100.00%
|
Auditor
1986 Massachusetts Auditor election |
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Incumbent Auditor John J. Finnegan did not run for reelection. Democrat A. Joseph DeNucci defeated Boston City Councilors Maura Hennigan and Charles Yancey in the Democratic primary and House Minority Leader William G. Robinson in the general election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Ballot questions
Question 1
Proposed Legislative Amendment to the Constitution - The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the legislature to prohibit or regulate abortions to the extent permitted by the United States Constitution. It would also provide that the state constitution does not require public or private funding of abortions, or the provision of services of facilities for performing abortions, beyond what is required by the United States Constitution. The provisions of this amendment would not apply to abortions required to prevent the death of the mother.
Proposed Legislative Amendment to the Constitution
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±
|
|
Yes
|
689,908
|
41.83%
|
|
✓
|
No
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959,311
|
58.17%
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Question 2
Proposed Legislative Amendment to the Constitution - The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the expenditure of public funds for private schools and private school students.
Proposed Legislative Amendment to the Constitution
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±
|
|
Yes
|
502,170
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30.32%
|
|
✓
|
No
|
1,154,069
|
69.68%
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Question 3
Law Proposed by Initiative Petition - The proposed law would reduced then repeal the 71⁄2% surtax on Massachusetts state income taxes and would limit state tax revenue growth to the level of growth in the total wages and salaries of the citizens of the state.
Law Proposed by Initiative Petition
Candidate
|
Votes
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%
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±
|
✓
|
Yes
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863,130
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54.35%
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No
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724,925
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45.65%
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Question 4
Law Proposed by Initiative Petition - The proposed law would require that the State Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (DEQE) to search for sites in the Commonwealth where oil or hazardous materials have been disposed of and take all steps necessary to clean up those sites within specified time limits. Provisions are made for informing the public about sites in their communities.
Law Proposed by Initiative Petition
Candidate
|
Votes
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%
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±
|
✓
|
Yes
|
1,174,676
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74.38%
|
|
|
No
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404,521
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25.62%
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|
Question 5
Referendum on an Existing Law - The law requires all drivers and passengers to wear properly adjusted and fastened safety belts while traveling in motor vehicles on public ways.
Referendum on an Existing Law
Candidate
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Votes
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%
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±
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Yes
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769,806
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46.31%
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✓
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No
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892,580
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53.69%
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Question 6
Law Proposed by Initiative Petition - The proposed law would provide a system of voter registration by mail applicable to all qualified voters and would eliminate statutory provisions permitting certain persons to vote only for presidential electors.
Law Proposed by Initiative Petition
Candidate
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Votes
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%
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±
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|
Yes
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603,370
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38.44%
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✓
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No
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966,229
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61.56%
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References
External links