Bill
H 4132
Allows Lexington lawful permanent residents to vote in municipal elections and participate in town processes if they meet qualifications.
Note on sources and numbering
- The materials provided combine two different measures that share the identifier “H.4132” in different jurisdictions. This summary describes both items separately:
1. A Massachusetts local act (filed by Rep. Michelle Ciccolo) to authorize the Town of Lexington to grant municipal voting rights to lawful permanent residents.
2. A South Carolina House Resolution (titled “Palmetto Girls State”) authorizing use of the State House chamber by the American Legion Auxiliary Palmetto Girls State program.
Status & procedural history
- Filed: House Docket No. 4654 (filed 5/7/2025); petition sponsored by Rep. Michelle L. Ciccolo (15th Middlesex) and Rep. Cindy F. Friedman.
- Referred to: Committee on Election Laws (5/12/2025). Senate concurred (5/15/2025). Hearing scheduled 9/16/2025.
Purpose / intent
- To authorize the Town of Lexington to permit lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who meet other voter-eligibility criteria to vote in municipal elections and participate in town meetings and municipal nomination/petition processes.
Key provisions
- Section 1: Notwithstanding state election law (chapter 51), lawful permanent residents of Lexington who meet all voter qualifications except U.S. citizenship may be designated “local voters” for town municipal elections, may stand for/take part in Town Meetings, and may sign municipal nominating/warrant/petitions.
- Section 2: Town Clerk must maintain a separate registration list and special registration form for local voters (forms printed at town expense). When a local voter becomes a U.S. citizen, they are to be removed from that list and required to register as regular voters under state law.
- Section 3: Select Board may promulgate implementing regulations, guidelines, and forms.
- Section 4: If a local ballot question appears on a state election ballot, the Town Clerk must print a separate local ballot (at town expense) so local voters can vote on the local question without participating in statewide elections.
- Section 5: Town may adopt bylaws/regulations to implement the act (subject to specified historic acts).
- Section 6: Explicitly denies local voters any right to vote in state or federal offices or vote on state/federal ballot questions.
Who is affected
- Lawful permanent residents living in Lexington (potentially expanded enfranchisement for municipal matters).
- Lexington Town Clerk and Select Board (administration, registration, ballot printing).
- Existing voters and municipal operations (procedural adjustments).
Potential impacts and considerations
- Could expand local civic participation among non-citizen residents.
- May create administrative costs (special registration lists/forms, separate ballots).
- The measure expressly limits voting to municipal matters; it may raise legal or constitutional questions about state election law preemption or equal protection—subject to judicial or further legislative review.
Status & procedural history
- Introduced and adopted in the South Carolina House of Representatives on March 5, 2025 (House Journal-page 35).
Purpose / key provisions
- Authorizes the American Legion Auxiliary Palmetto Girls State to use the chamber of the South Carolina House of Representatives on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., unless the House is in statewide session or the chamber is otherwise unavailable.
- Directs State House security officers to assist as needed per prior procedures.
- Provides that no charges may be made for use of the chamber by the organization on that date.
Who is affected
- American Legion Auxiliary Palmetto Girls State participants and organizers.
- State House operations/staff for the specified date.
If you’d like, I can draft a one-page explainer focused only on the Massachusetts measure’s likely implementation steps and estimated administrative costs, or provide sources and citations for the procedural entries.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
