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HD 4005

An Act reforming the composition of the boards of registrars of voters

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jason Lewis and 1 co-sponsor

The bill would ensure registrar boards reflect bipartisan and unenrolled representation with a cap of at most two members from any single party or designation.

Senate concurred
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 4005

Summary: An Act reforming the composition of the boards of registrars of voters (HD 4005)

Overview

HD 4005 seeks to reform how Massachusetts boards of registrars of voters are composed. The bill would amend Chapter 51, Section 18 to set conditions on appointments and vacancies, emphasizing bipartisan representation and establishing a cap on how many members can come from any single political party or designation (including city or town clerks).

Purpose and intent

  • Create a balanced, multi-party representation on registrars of voters.
  • Ensure that the board reflects the two leading political parties and unenrolled voters “as nearly as possible,” while limiting dominance by any single party or designation.
  • Include city/town clerks in the balancing framework, with their party enrollment not required, but still counted toward the cap.

Key provisions

  • The current Section 18 of Chapter 51 would be struck and replaced with new language.
  • Appointments and vacancies shall be made so that:
    • As nearly as possible, the board represents the two leading political parties and unenrolled voters (per definitions in the relevant chapters). City or town clerks are exempt from party enrollment requirements.
    • The board shall not have more than two members from any single established political party or political designation in the Commonwealth, including the city or town clerk.
  • These representation and cap requirements apply to both initial appointments and any vacancies.

Affected entities

  • Boards of registrars of voters in Massachusetts (and the cities/towns that serve on those boards).
  • City/town clerks, who may serve asregistrars and are counted toward the cap, even though they do not need to be enrolled in a political party.
  • State and local election officials involved in appointing registrars.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025 (House No. 853), filed January 17, 2025.
  • Legislative actions: Referred to the Committee on Election Laws (2/27/2025); Senate concurrence noted on 2/27/2025.
  • Status: Senate concurred (implies agreement between House and Senate on the bill’s text at this stage).

Potential impact

  • Appointment processes would shift toward enhanced bipartisanship and minority/unenrolled representation.
  • The 2-person-per-party cap could reduce the likelihood of a single party or designation dominating a registrar board.
  • May affect succession and vacancies, requiring commissioners to seek candidates from across party lines or enrolled designations to maintain balance.

Context and related matters

  • The bill references a similar matter previously filed in the 2023-2024 session as House No. 3918, indicating ongoing interest in reforming registrar board composition.

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

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