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HD 4654

An Act to grant the town of Lexington the authority to endow legal residents with local voting rights in municipal elections

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Ciccolo

Allows lawful permanent residents in Lexington to vote in municipal elections, but not state or federal elections.

Referred to the committee on Election Laws
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Bill Summary · HD 4654

Summary of House Bill HD 4654

Purpose and Scope

HD 4654, introduced May 12, 2025 and referred to the committee on Election Laws, would authorize the Town of Lexington to grant local voting rights in municipal elections to certain non-citizen residents. Specifically, lawful permanent residents (LPRs, e.g., green card holders) who meet all other voter eligibility criteria would be considered “local voters” for Lexington’s municipal elections. The bill clarifies that this local voting status does not extend to state or federal elections.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1 – Creation of local voters: Any lawful permanent resident of Lexington who otherwise meets the state voter eligibility requirements (excluding US citizenship) would be deemed a qualified local voter for municipal elections. Local voters would be eligible to participate in Town Meetings, stand for municipal office, and sign town petition materials and school committee referenda or other local municipal questions.

  • Section 2 – Local registration process: The Town Clerk would maintain a separate registration list for local voters. An alternative local registration form would be created and printed at the town’s expense. Upon naturalization, a local voter would be removed from the local list and must register as a regular voter under state law.

  • Section 3 – Regulatory authority: The Lexington Select Board would be authorized to promulgate regulations, guidelines, and forms necessary to implement the act.

  • Section 4 – Local ballots when state ballots occur: If a local ballot question appears on a state election ballot, the Town Clerk would print a separate local ballot for Lexington’s local question at the town’s expense to ensure local voters participate only in local matters.

  • Section 5 – Local bylaws and regulations: Lexington may enact bylaws/regulations to implement the act, subject to applicable state statutes (Chapters 215 of 1929 and 753 of 1968, as amended).

  • Section 6 – Limit of local rights: The act does not grant local voters the right to vote in state or federal offices or on statewide ballot questions.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary: Legal permanent residents of Lexington who are otherwise eligible to vote under state law (excluding citizenship).
  • Secondary: Town governance processes (Town Clerk, Select Board, town meeting participants, petition signers, and local referendum activities) and Lexington’s budget/emergency planning for administrative costs.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Referred to the Committee on Election Laws (no enacted date yet).
  • Local approval: The petition indicates local approval was sought; the bill envisions local bylaws and administrative steps before implementation.
  • Practical timeline: If enacted, the town would implement a separate local registration process, create forms, and print separate local ballots as needed; citizenship changes trigger automatic reclassification to regular voters.

Fiscal and Administrative Considerations

  • The town would bear costs for creating the local registration forms, maintaining the local voter list, and printing local ballots when needed.
  • Regulatory guidance would come from the Select Board, with alignment to existing state election laws governing municipal authority.

Note: The bill does not alter eligibility for state or federal elections; it creates a limited local eligibility framework for Lexington’s municipal governance.

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

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