As of early Wednesday, with 89% of votes counted, 59% of voters in the state had voted “yes” on Question 2, eliminating the test as a graduation requirement, according to the Associated Press.

“By passing Question 2, Massachusetts voters have declared that they are ready to let teachers teach and students learn without the burdensome effects of a high-stakes standardized test undermining the mission of public education: all students for the future Preparing for success as citizens, workers and creative, happy adults,” said a joint statement from Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy.

Teachers’ unions lobbied heavily and spent heavily to support the proposal.

“As things stand right now, we are grateful that voters went out and listened to educators and listened to the impact that MCAS has on students who are struggling to pass the exam,” said Melissa Verdier, President of the Educational Association of Worcester, the union representing teachers in Worcester, on Tuesday evening. “It was unfair and penalized students who had difficulty understanding the English language who had IEPs, and hopefully that leads us as this is moving in the right direction away from a system that penalizes students and toward a system , in which we can. “Ensure that students have the skills they need to achieve in life, not that they need to pass a test.”