HD 4855 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act granting the town of Whately the authority to provide legal voting rights in municipal elections for town of Whately residents aged 16 and 17 years old

This bill allows 16- and 17-year-old Whately residents to vote in local town elections and ballot questions, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements (like residency) but are ineligible under current state age rules. It requires the town's board of registrars to create a separate voter list and special registration form for these "local voters," who must be removed from the list upon turning 18. The bill explicitly states these voters cannot participate in state or federal elections or ballot questions. The town must cover all costs for the separate registration forms and ballots for local questions. This is limited to Whately's municipal elections only, with no impact on state or federal voting rights.
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