Last week, America voted on the future of national, state and local governance. In Massachusetts, voters were tasked with the responsibility of terminating the fate of five ballot questions on state auditing, transport unions, standardized testing, psychedelics and minimum wage for tipped workers.  One question, however, flew under the radar — Question 6 — which appeared only in 11 state representative districts, including the 10th Middlesex district which is a part of Waltham, Massachusetts. The question did not appear on the November 2024 Massachusetts voter guide. 

The question asked: “Shall the Representative for this District be instructed to vote for legislation to create a single-payer system of universal health care that provides all Massachusetts residents with comprehensive health care coverage including the freedom to choose doctors and other health care professionals, facilities, and services and eliminates the role of insurance companies in health care by creating an insurance trust fund that is publicly administered?”

In Waltham, the question received major support with 4,255 “Yes” votes, with only 1,789 votes were cast in opposition. Question 6, is a non-binding question, meaning that, although passed by Massachusetts voters, the proposed legislation is not law. Non-binding question allows for voters to voice their opinions and publicly instruct their representatives on how to vote should a Medicare for All legislation put up for a vote.