WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HD 4822

An Act lowering the voting age in municipal elections in the town of Arlington

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Cindy Friedman and 2 co-sponsors

Arlington could allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections, ballot questions, and town meetings via a separate local voters list (not affecting state/federal votes).

0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 4822

Summary: Massachusetts Bill HD 4822 — Act lowering the voting age in municipal elections in the town of Arlington

Overview

HD 4822 proposes to authorize Arlington to grant legal voting rights in municipal elections to residents aged 16 and 17, under a local framework separate from state and federal voting. The bill is presented as a local option and would apply only to Arlington’s local elections, ballots, and town meetings, not to state or federal elections.

  • Introduced/Publication: The bill text indicates it is a local petition (House Docket No. 4822) filed in June 2025, with the sponsoring representatives and senator noted. The user-supplied header lists the bill as introduced on November 29, 2025, but the formal text references a 2025 filing date.
  • Local status: The bill is described as “Local Approval Received,” indicating Arlington’s local action is a prerequisite for implementing the provision.

Main purpose

To authorize the Town of Arlington to permit residents who are 16 or 17 years old (and otherwise eligible) to participate in local government by voting in municipal elections, local ballot questions, and town meetings.

Key provisions

Section 1 — Local voting eligibility

  • 16- or 17-year-old residents of Arlington who are ineligible to vote due to age but meet all other eligibility requirements may apply to be entered on a town-established local voters list.
  • Individuals on this list may vote in local elections, local ballot questions, and town meetings.

Section 2 — Registration and removal at 18

  • The town clerk must require an alternative registration form and create a separate list for local voters.
  • When a local voter turns 18, they are removed from the local list and must register as a regular voter to participate in state or federal elections.

Section 3 — Regulations

  • The town clerk may promulgate regulations, guidelines, and forms to implement the act.

Section 4 — Local bylaws

  • Arlington may pass bylaws to implement the act’s purposes.

Section 5 — Scope limitation

  • The act does not confer the right to vote in state or federal offices or on state/federal ballots.

Who is affected

  • Local residents aged 16-17 in Arlington who meet other eligibility criteria.
  • Arlington Town Clerk’s office, which would manage the local voters list, registration forms, and related processes.
  • Arlington municipal elections officials and local election stakeholders (e.g., town meeting mechanics, local ballot question administrators).

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The act contemplates a local framework established by Arlington, including a separate local voters list and procedures for registration, voting, and removal at age 18.
  • Administrative changes (forms, regulations, and potential bylaws) would be required for implementation.
  • Importantly, the provision explicitly excludes participation in state or federal elections, limiting the impact to Arlington’s local governance only.

Potential impact

  • Increased youth engagement in Arlington’s local governance.
  • Administrative and cost considerations for managing a separate local voters list and registration process.
  • A potential model for other towns considering similar local-age voting experiments, subject to local approval and implementation.

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

Sign in to ask a question.