Bill > S377

This bill establishes election day registration, allowing eligible citizens to register to vote on the day of an election or during early voting periods by appearing in person at their polling place or an early voting site, completing a registration form, and providing proof of residency, which can include a valid photo ID or other documents like a utility bill or bank statement. This new provision, designated as Section 34A, also clarifies that a person changing residence within the Commonwealth is not disqualified from voting for national or state officers in their former town for six months after moving, provided they are eligible to register under this new section. The bill also makes conforming changes to existing election laws to incorporate this new registration option and specifies that registered voters cannot re-register on election day solely to change their party affiliation, with the state secretary tasked with adopting regulations and the Attorney General or District Attorney responsible for investigating allegations of illegal registration or voting. This act is declared an emergency law and will take effect on July 1, 2015, to be implemented for the 2016 elections.