Bill > H4095

This bill grants 16 and 17-year-old residents of Conway the ability to vote in local municipal elections, despite being under the standard voting age of 18. The bill establishes that these young residents can apply to be added to a separate voter registration list maintained by the town's board of registrars, allowing them to vote only in local elections and on local ballot questions. When these young voters turn 18, they will be removed from the special list and must register as regular voters according to state law. The board of registrars is authorized to create a special registration form and establish guidelines for this process. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that these local voters cannot vote in state or federal elections. The town of Conway is permitted to pass ordinances to implement the act, and if a local ballot question appears on a state election ballot, the town must print a separate ballot at its own expense. This bill represents an innovative approach to youth civic engagement by allowing older teenagers to participate in local democratic processes.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4095