Bill > H870

This bill grants the town of Acton the unique authority to allow 16 and 17-year-old residents to vote in local municipal elections, ballot questions, and town meetings, despite state law typically restricting voting to those 18 and older. Specifically, the bill establishes that these young residents can apply to be placed on a separate voter registration list maintained by the town clerk, using a special registration form created for this purpose. When these local voters turn 18, they will be removed from the special list and must register as regular voters according to state guidelines. The bill explicitly limits these voting rights to local Acton elections only, and does not extend to state or federal elections. The town clerk is authorized to create regulations and forms to implement this new voting procedure, and the Town of Acton can pass bylaws to support the implementation of this act. If a local ballot question appears on a state election ballot, the town will be responsible for printing a separate ballot at its own expense. This bill represents an innovative approach to youth civic engagement by providing younger residents with a mechanism to participate in local democratic processes.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H870