Bill
H 3919
Authorizes Leverett to let eligible lawful permanent residents (18+) register to vote in local town meetings/elections and hold local offices; excludes state/federal races.
Status snapshot
- Bill Number: H.3919 (House Docket No. 4449) — “An Act authorizing local voting rights for lawful permanent residents residing in Leverett.”
- Filed: February 24, 2025 (House docket); Presented by Rep. Natalie M. Blais and Sen. Joanne M. Comerford.
- Committee: Referred to the Joint Committee on Election Laws (3/20/2025). Hearing scheduled 05/06/2025, B‑1, 1:00–4:00 PM.
- Local approval: Petition notes “Local Approval Received.”
- Related: Similar matter filed in prior session (House No. 4114, 2023–2024); HD 4449 listed as a related/replacing filing.
Note on provided documents
- The packet also contains an unrelated South Carolina House resolution honoring Reverend Dr. M. Keith McDaniel Sr. (two duplicate copies dated 02/06/2025). That resolution is separate from Massachusetts H.3919 and does not affect its substance.
Purpose and intent
- To authorize the town of Leverett, by special act of the General Court, to permit certain lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who are at least 18 years old and who reside in Leverett to register and participate in local town elections, meetings, and to hold elected municipal offices/committee seats.
Key provisions (section-by-section)
- Section 1: Notwithstanding state voter-registration law (e.g., G.L. c.51, §1) or other laws to the contrary, lawful permanent residents aged 18+ residing in the town of Leverett may, upon application, have their names entered on a list of registered voters kept by the Leverett town clerk. Those LPRs so listed may vote in all Leverett town meetings, elections, and actions, and may serve on elected Leverett municipal boards and committees.
- Section 2: Authorizes the Leverett Select Board to adopt regulations and guidelines to implement the act.
- Section 3: Explicitly preserves exclusions — nothing in the act permits these LPRs to vote for state or federal offices or on state or federal ballot questions.
Who is affected
- Eligible: Lawful permanent residents (i.e., green‑card holders) age 18+ who live in the town of Leverett and apply to be entered on the town’s voter list.
- Local officials: Leverett town clerk (who maintains the registered‑voter list) and the Select Board (which may issue implementation rules); town election administrators; candidates for local office.
- Community: The local electorate and civic processes in Leverett (potentially expanding participation in town government).
Implementation and limits
- Implementation is local: the Select Board sets procedures; the town clerk maintains the special registered list.
- The statute is narrowly tailored to Leverett (a local act) and does not change eligibility for state or federal elections or ballot questions.
- Administrative impacts may include changes to voter rolls, verification and recordkeeping procedures, and public outreach.
Procedural/next steps
- Hearing before the Joint Committee on Election Laws scheduled for 05/06/2025. Committee report and subsequent floor action in either chamber would determine final enactment. Because this is a local special act, it requires passage by the Legislature (and may require any standard post‑enactment processes).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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