Oct. 21, 2011—The Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition recently secured 106,658 voter signatures to add a “pro-consumer” initiative to the 2012 ballot, far exceeding the 68,911 signatures required.

The initiative is meant to level the playing field between big dealerships and independent shops, allowing the latter to access non-proprietary diagnostic and safety information needed for repairs, according to the Right to Repair Coalition. That information is currently only fully available at manufacturers’ dealers and new car dealerships.

The coalition said the initiative would help keep repairs affordable by ensuring competition between facilities.

“It's time that car owners have the right to get our vehicles repaired wherever we choose,” said Jeff McLeod of Marshfield, Mass., one of the signers of the ballot petition. “The growing support for this issue shows how important it is for consumers, especially in a difficult economy.”