An Act relative to the board of registrars

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jason Lewis

Requires registrars to be appointed so the board reflects two leading parties and unenrolled voters, with no more than two members from any party or designation (including clerks).

House concurred

Basic information

Bill number: SD 2358 (Senate Docket No. 2358)

Official title: An Act relative to the board of registrars

Introduced: January 17, 2025

Petitioned by / Sponsor: Jason M. Lewis (Fifth Middlesex)

Current status: House concurred; referred to the Committee on Election Laws (initial action in 2025)

Version context: The bill proposes a text change to Chapter 51, Section 18 of the Massachusetts General Laws, striking the existing text and inserting a new provision.

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to modify how registrars of voters are appointed in Massachusetts to ensure political balance on the board of registrars. It seeks to balance representation between the two leading political parties and unenrolled voters, while limiting overrepresentation by any single party or designation (including city or town clerks).

Key provisions

New representation standard (Section 18): In appointments and vacancies, registrars of voters shall be appointed so that:

(i) As nearly as possible, the board reflects the representation of the two leading political parties and voters with an unenrolled designation (as defined in sections of prior chapter(s)); and a city or town clerk may be enrolled in any designation or not enrolled.
(ii) The board shall not have more than two members from any established political party or political designation in the Commonwealth, including the city or town clerk.

The proposed language explicitly emphasizes a cap to prevent dominance by a single party or designation on the registrar board.

Who is affected

Registrars of voters in Massachusetts (state and municipal level) who are appointed to the board.

City and town clerks who serve on or are eligible for appointment to the board, with the stipulation that they count toward the political balance cap.

Voters and parties in Massachusetts, insofar as the composition of registrar boards affects election administration and oversight.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative actions to date:

2025-03-10: Referred to the Committee on Election Laws
2025-03-10: House concurred

The bill references a similar matter previously filed in the 2023-2024 session (Senate No. 427), indicating continued interest in the same reform.

The text would amend Chapter 51, Section 18 by replacing it with the new representation framework described above.

Potential impact and considerations

Could enhance perceived and actual bipartisanship in the management of voter registration and election administration by ensuring balanced representation.

May constrain municipalities in choosing registrars if they would otherwise disproportionately favor one party or designation.

The cap on alignment with any single party or designation (including clerks) could influence appointment processes, require more deliberate recruitment, and potentially affect vacancy fillings.

Administrative and legal work may be needed at the local level to evaluate party designation and ensure compliance with the new structure.

Conclusion

SD 2358 seeks to reform how Massachusetts appoints registrars of voters by enforcing representative balance among major political designations and unenrolled voters, with a league-wide cap to prevent dominance by any single party or designation. The bill is moving through the House and Committee process, following its inception in January 2025.

Bill