WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 4097

Big Dave's Cheesesteaks

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

Allows resident noncitizens to vote in Northampton municipal preliminary, special, and regular city elections if not disqualified by state law.

Introduced and adopted
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4097

Summary — H 4097 (House Bill No. 4097)

Title shown: "Big Dave's Cheesesteaks" (document contains unrelated material)

Main purpose

H 4097 is a special‑act amendment to the City of Northampton’s charter (Chapter 277 of the Acts of 2012) that would authorize resident noncitizens to vote in certain municipal elections in Northampton. The amendment explicitly extends voting qualification to residents who are noncitizens for preliminary elections, special elections and regular city elections (including ward contests).

Key provision (exact statutory change)

  • Inserts a new article (proposed Article 8‑6) into Northampton’s charter with the following rule:
    • “Every resident of the city or, in the case of an election for ward councilor or ward school committee member, every resident of the ward, whether a citizen or noncitizen, who is not otherwise disqualified from voting under state law, shall be qualified to vote in all preliminary elections, special elections and regular city elections.”
  • Existing articles are to be renumbered accordingly.
  • The act would take effect upon passage.
  • The filing notes “Local Approval Received.”

Who would be affected

  • Primary effect: resident noncitizens living in the City of Northampton (citywide and ward residents for ward contests) who meet any other applicable qualifications would become eligible to vote in Northampton municipal preliminary, special and regular city elections.
  • Secondary impacts: Northampton’s election administration (voter registration and outreach), political candidates and campaigns, and the composition of the municipal electorate.
  • Note: the provision conditions eligibility on not being “otherwise disqualified under state law,” so state or federal legal constraints remain relevant.

Sponsors and procedural status

  • Sponsors: Rep. Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Sen. Joanne M. Comerford (petitioned with approval of the mayor and city council).
  • Filing/introductory dates in the document: filed 01/09/2025; introduced/printed as House No. 4097. The record also shows activity on 02/26/2025 and a referral on 05/08/2025.
  • Legislative actions listed:
    • Referred to the Committee on Election Laws (05/08/2025)
    • Senate concurred (05/12/2025)
    • Hearing scheduled: 09/16/2025, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM (room B‑1)
    • Status shown as “Introduced and adopted” in parts of the file.
  • Replaces HD 542.

Implementation, legal context, and considerations

  • Because this is a special‑act amendment for a single municipality, implementation would be local to Northampton upon enactment.
  • The clause “not otherwise disqualified under state law” signals potential intersections with Massachusetts statutory or constitutional constraints and possible judicial review; local election officials would need to reconcile municipal implementation with state and federal election law.
  • Operationally, the change would require updates to registration materials, outreach to newly eligible residents, and training of election staff.

Note regarding mixed content in the file

The version content provided also includes a separate South Carolina House resolution congratulating “Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks” on a franchise opening. That resolution is unrelated to the Northampton charter amendment and appears to be an extraneous inclusion in the document.

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

Sign in to ask a question.