Right to Repair: What Does Your Vote Mean?

On Nov. 6, Wayland voters will join voters across Massachusetts in being asked to vote on three questions along with the state and federal political races.

Question 1, also known as Right to Repair, is asking voters whether all owners should have access to repair manuals and diagnostic information for their vehicles.

"This proposed law would prohibit any motor vehicle manufacturer, starting with model year 2015, from selling or leasing, either directly or through a dealer, a new motor vehicle without allowing the owner to have access to the same diagnostic and repair information made available to the manufacturer’s dealers and in-state authorized repair facilities," the Massachusetts Secretary of State's website says.

According to the website, a "yes" vote on Question 1 would require manufacturers to share the diagnostic information with owners and independent repair facilities.

A "no" vote would leave the law as it is, allowing manufacturers to sell or lease the information to repair facilities at their discretion.

This Patch article offers a brief synopsis of Ballot Question 1. All the ballot questions contain additional language that further explains the impact and purpose of the legislation proposed. To read more thorough explanations, click the links above.