WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 4241

Mt. Lebanon Methodist Church

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Daniel Gibson and 1 co-sponsor

Whately may allow residents aged 16–17 to vote in local elections by creating a separate local voter list, while they remain ineligible for state or federal offices.

Introduced and adopted
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4241

Summary — H 4241 (House Bill No. 4241)

Note: The materials provided include two distinct items that appear to have been combined in the submission: (1) a Massachusetts local special act authorizing the Town of Whately to allow 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds to vote in municipal elections, and (2) a ceremonial House resolution congratulating Mt. Lebanon Methodist Church of Greenwood on its 190th anniversary (a South Carolina resolution). The summary below treats each separately and highlights the primary Massachusetts bill (Whately voting authority), which contains substantive law changes.

A. Primary item — "An Act granting the town of Whately the authority to provide legal voting rights in municipal elections for town of Whately residents aged 16 and 17 years old" (filed 6/25/2025; House No. 4241)

Purpose / Intent

Authorize the Town of Whately to extend the ability to vote in local elections and on local ballot questions to residents aged 16 and 17 (who are otherwise eligible voters except for age), via a town-administered local registration system.

Key provisions

  • Notwithstanding state voting age statutes, Whately may permit 16‑ and 17‑year‑old residents (otherwise eligible except for age) to be entered on a separate local voters list by application to the town’s board of registrars.
  • Those on the local voters list may vote in any election for local offices and on local ballot questions in Whately.
  • The board of registrars must maintain a separate registration list and create/print an alternative registration form at town expense.
  • When a local voter turns 18, they are removed from the separate list and notified they must register as a regular (state) voter to continue voting in state/federal elections.
  • The board may promulgate regulations, guidelines, and forms to implement the act.
  • If a local ballot question appears on a state election ballot, the board shall print a separate ballot for that local question at town expense.
  • The town may pass ordinances (consistent with the Whately charter) to implement the act.
  • The act explicitly does NOT permit these local voters to vote for state or federal offices or on state/federal ballot questions.

Who is affected

  • Directly: Whately residents aged 16 and 17 who apply to be placed on the special local voter list.
  • Indirectly: Town election officials (board of registrars, town clerk), municipal budgets (printing/forms), and local election administration processes.

Implementation & procedural notes

  • Filed: House Docket No. 4855 (filed 6/25/2025); presented as House No. 4241.
  • Referred to: Committee on Election Laws (6/30/2025).
  • Related: House Docket/HD 4855 noted as replaced.
  • Administrative costs: town to bear expense of special registration forms and separate ballots when required.
  • Local approval: record indicates local approval was received.

Potential impacts

  • Could increase youth civic engagement and turnout in municipal decision‑making.
  • Adds administrative steps/costs for Whately election officials (separate list, forms, ballots).
  • Limited scope: applicability restricted to the Town of Whately and to local offices/questions only.

B. Secondary item — Ceremonial resolution honoring Mt. Lebanon Methodist Church (filed 03/27/2025)

  • Type: House resolution (South Carolina).
  • Purpose: Congratulates Mt. Lebanon Methodist Church of Greenwood on its 190th anniversary (founded c.1835) and commends nearly two centuries of service.
  • Action: Introduced and adopted (ceremonial recognition). A copy of the resolution to be presented to the church.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a one‑page handout focused only on the Whately voting provision for local distribution; or
- Draft a plain‑language FAQ about how the Whately program would work for 16‑ and 17‑year‑old residents.

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

Sign in to ask a question.