A bill signed into law in August struck a compromise between the opposing sides of this issue, and both camps have said this ballot question is now irrelevant and have urged voters to vote NO.
This question would require motor vehicle manufacturers, starting with model year 2015, to give vehicle owners access to the same diagnostic and repair information that the manufacturer’s dealers and authorized repair facilities have.
The new law signed in August gives manufacturers until 2018 to satisfy the requirement - three years more than called for by this ballot initiative.
Since the compromise, backers of this initiative have switched gears and now are urging voters to vote yes, saying that consumers still should have their voices heard. Industry leaders say the compromise approved in August should not be undermined.
Ballot Questions | 1. Motor Vehicle Repair Information
Summary
Survey
Latest news
- SkipQuestion1.com urges voters to skip first ballot question
- Group: Vote 'yes' on Mass. auto repair question
- AAA urges voters to say 'yes' to Right to Repair question
All statewide ballot questions
Arguments
|
YES – OVERRIDE THE COMPROMISE AND MAKE REPAIR INFORMATION AVAILABLE BY 2015
(Taken from the website of the Massachusetts Right to Repair Committee)
http://massrighttorepair.com
Right to Repair will make it more convenient and less expensive for car owners to get car repairs by ensuring that no one is forced to go to a dealership for repairs unless they want to. Despite the law passed this summer, the Massachusetts Right to Repair Committee is urging supporters of Right to Repair to vote YES on Question 1. "We are now, and have always been, a 'Yes on Question 1' Committee," said Arthur Kinsman, spokesman for the Massachusetts Right to Repair Committee. In late July, the Legislature unanimously passed a strong first-in-the-nation Right to Repair law which was subsequently signed by Gov. Patrick. This created a unique situation where a Right to Repair law will take effect on Nov. 6, the same day citizens will vote on Question 1. "The Massachusetts Right to Repair Committee embarked on an outreach campaign with voters and our thousands of coalition members to inform them about the powerful new law. What we found is that although our coalition, ballot committee members, and consumers were pleased with the Legislature's action, they still overwhelmingly supported a 'Yes' vote for Question 1." "For this reason, and to provide clarity to the more than 120,000 voters who signed the initiative petition and the more than 2,000 independent repairers in our coalition, we say if you choose to vote on Question 1, the Right to Repair ballot question, you should vote 'yes' ", said Kinsman. These arguments were written by proponents and opponents of each question and reflect their opinions. Boston.com, The Boston Globe, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do not endorse these arguments, and do not certify the truth or accuracy of any statement made in these arguments. The names of the individuals and organizations who wrote each argument, and any written comments by others about each argument, are on file in the secretary of state's office. |
 | | |
NO – PRESERVE THE COMPROMISE AND MAKE REPAIR INFORMATION AVAILABLE BY 2018
(Taken from the website for Citizens Committee for Safe and Fair Repair)
www.skipquestion1.com
This summer, interests on both sides of the Massachusetts Right to Repair issue agreed to a legislative solution that has since been passed by the state Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick. Right to Repair is law today. The new Right to Repair law ensures a level playing field where all repair shops – independent and franchised dealer alike – can compete for your business based on reliable service at a fair price. Consumers and independent repairers benefit because information and tools will always be made available for purchase. Automaker innovation, intellectual property and dealer investments are protected. Why should you skip Question 1? This agreement was reached and signed into law after the deadline to remove the issue from the ballot. You will see ‘Right to Repair’ appear as Question 1 on your ballot, but you can ignore it. The best way to support the Right to Repair law already in place is to skip voting on Question 1 on Nov. 6. These arguments were written by proponents and opponents of each question and reflect their opinions. Boston.com, The Boston Globe, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do not endorse these arguments, and do not certify the truth or accuracy of any statement made in these arguments. The names of the individuals and organizations who wrote each argument, and any written comments by others about each argument, are on file in the secretary of state's office. |