Bill > S529

This bill proposes to amend Chapter 51 of Massachusetts General Laws by adding a new section (Section 1G) that would allow residents aged 16 and 17 to vote in municipal elections in cities and towns that choose to accept this provision. Specifically, the bill enables 16 and 17-year-old citizens who are residents of a city or town to register to vote and participate in local elections, provided they meet the registration requirements outlined in the chapter. The adoption of this provision would be optional, meaning individual municipalities would need to vote to accept the new voting age through the process described in section 4 of chapter 4 of the Massachusetts General Laws. This represents a potential expansion of local democratic participation by lowering the voting age for municipal elections from 18 to 16, giving younger residents a direct voice in local governance.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S529