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H 839

An Act increasing voter registration and participation to help prevent recidivism

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Russell Holmes

Expands absentee voting and pre-registration for incarcerated individuals and restores rights upon discharge to aid reintegration and reduce recidivism.

Accompanied a study order, see H5311 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 839

Summary: H.839 – An Act increasing voter registration and participation to help prevent recidivism

Overview

H.839, introduced February 27, 2025 by Rep. Russell E. Holmes, seeks to expand voter registration and participation opportunities for people incarcerated for felony convictions in Massachusetts. The bill aims to reduce recidivism by promoting civic engagement and smoother reintegration upon release. A hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM, in B-1) before the Election Laws Committee.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish that suffrage is a fundamental civil right and tool for reintegration.
  • Address current barriers that disenfranchise people with felony convictions, particularly while incarcerated.
  • Improve registration and voting access through coordinated action by correctional facilities and the secretary of the commonwealth.
  • Streamline processes and reduce barriers to voting for returnees, with the goal of supporting successful community reintegration and lowering recidivism.

Key provisions and changes

1) Section 1 – Findings and declarations
- Argues that restoring voting rights and increasing registration among returning citizens strengthens democracy and aids reintegration.
- Highlights that about 8,234 people in MA are disenfranchised while incarcerated, with disproportionate impacts on communities of color.
- Notes that many inmates can vote by absentee ballot if not incarcerated for felony convictions, but barriers exist (misinformation, clerical rejection, and lack of assistance).
- Calls for the Department of Correction and houses of correction to play a central role in helping eligible voters obtain absentee ballots and facilitating pre-registration upon anticipated release; authorizes training of city and town clerks by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

2) Section 2 – New Section 65 added to Chapter 51
- Designates correctional facilities as voter registration “designated agencies” for purposes of voter registration and absentee ballot requests.
- Requires facilities to provide absentee ballot applications to eligible voters and either supply envelopes/postage or transmit requests to the appropriate clerk.
- During release planning, facilities must provide a voter registration form and a declination form, and assist in completing forms; can provide envelopes/postage or transmit completed registrations.

3) Section 3 – New Section 150A added to Chapter 127
- Requires facilities to notify inmates nearing term expiration that voting rights are restored upon discharge if eligibility was suspended.
- Mandates monthly submission of two lists to the Secretary of the Commonwealth: those who became ineligible due to incarceration, and those who become eligible due to discharge.
- Directs the Secretary to add eligible, discharged individuals to the statewide voter registration database and to remove any barriers to registration or voting stemming from felony status.

Affected parties

  • Incarcerated individuals with felony convictions (and those nearing release).
  • Correctional facilities (state and county) and their administrators/superintendents.
  • City/town clerks and registrars.
  • Secretary of the Commonwealth (Division of Elections) and related staff.
  • Community organizations focused on reintegration and voting rights.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the Senate and House Election Laws committee on the same day.
  • Hearing scheduled: September 16, 2025, 1:00–5:00 PM (B-1).

Potential impact

  • Expanded access to absentee voting and pre-registration for incarcerated individuals.
  • Streamlined restoration of voting rights upon discharge.
  • Potential cost implications for correctional facilities and clerks due to training, processing of forms, and administration.
  • Aims to reduce recidivism by fostering civic engagement and smoother re-entry.

Related provisions and context

  • References prior similar proposals (HD 1684; replaced by this bill in the current session).
  • Cites disparities in incarceration and voting access, emphasizing impact on communities of color.

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

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