Bill > H669

This bill aims to increase voter registration and participation among incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts to help prevent recidivism. Key provisions include: 1. Designating correctional facilities as voter registration agencies, requiring them to provide voter absentee ballot applications and assistance to eligible voters in their custody. 2. Mandating correctional facilities to notify prisoners upon their release that their voting rights have been restored and provide them with voter registration forms. 3. Requiring the Secretary of State to develop and implement educational programs to inform various stakeholders, including judges, election officials, and correctional staff, about the voting rights of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. 4. Requiring courts to advise defendants pleading guilty, no contest, or admitting sufficient facts to a felony that they will lose their right to vote only during their incarceration, and that their voting rights will be restored upon discharge. The goal is to streamline the processes for incarcerated individuals to register and vote, thereby increasing voter participation and helping to facilitate their reintegration into society upon release.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H669