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HD 4855

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

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Blais and 1 co-sponsor

Whately may let residents aged 16-17 vote in local elections/ballots, separate local voters list, remove at 18, pay for local ballots; does not grant state/federal voting rights.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 4855

Summary of House Docket No. 4855 (HD 4855): An Act granting the town of Whately the authority to provide legal voting rights in municipal elections for Whately residents aged 16 and 17

Purpose and intent

  • Creates a local option allowing the town of Whately to grant 16- and 17-year-old residents the right to vote in municipal elections and on local ballot questions.
  • Explicitly prohibits these local voters from voting in state or federal elections.

Key provisions

  • Section 1 — Local voting eligibility

    • 16- and 17-year-old residents of Whately who are otherwise eligible under state law may apply to have their names placed on a town list of “local voters.”
    • Local voters may participate in municipal elections and local ballot questions.

  • Section 2 — Local registration list

    • The Board of Registrars of Voters must establish a separate registration list for local voters and implement an alternative registration form.
    • When a local voter turns 18, they are removed from the separate list and must register as a regular state voter to remain eligible to vote.
    • The town must fund and produce the special local registration forms.

  • Section 3 — Implementation rules

    • The Board of Registrars may promulgate regulations, guidelines, and forms to implement the act.

  • Section 4 — Local ballots in state elections

    • If a local ballot question appears on a state election ballot, the town must print a separate local ballot for that question, at the town’s expense.

  • Section 5 — Local ordinances

    • Whately may pass ordinances to implement the act, consistent with the town charter.

  • Section 6 — Scope of rights

    • The act does not confer any right to vote for state or federal offices or on state/federal ballot questions.

Affected parties and entities

  • Whately residents aged 16 or 17 (subject to eligibility under state law).
  • Town governance: Board of Registrars of Voters, Whately town officials, and the Whately town electorate.
  • Local elections and local ballot questions only.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Local option: The act empowers Whately to adopt these provisions locally; the bill text indicates local approval is a condition.
  • Registration and participation would begin by entering eligible youths on a separate local voters list; removal at age 18 triggers normal voter registration procedures.
  • Costs: The town bears expenses for the special registration forms and for printing separate local ballots when local questions appear on state ballots.
  • Implementing authority: Subject to Whately’s charter and local ordinances; does not alter state or federal voting rights.

Status

  • Bill text filed June 25, 2025 (House Docket No. 4241; Bill No. 4855).
  • Described as a local approval measure for the town of Whately.
  • User-provided status note cites introduction date of November 29, 2025; exact current status not specified in the text provided.

This summary reflects the substantive provisions and likely practical effects of HD 4855 as drafted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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