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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2564 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 813
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Mike Connolly
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act expanding democratic participation.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Mike Connolly26th Middlesex1/16/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2564 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 813
By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 813) of
Mike Connolly for legislation to allow persons sixteen or seventeen years of age to vote in local
elections and presidential primaries. Election Laws.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3576 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act expanding democratic participation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 51 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following 2
2paragraphs:-
3 Every citizen who (i) is 16 or 17 years old, (ii) is not temporarily or permanently
4disqualified by law because of corrupt practices in respect to elections, (iii) is a resident in the
5city or town where they claim the right to vote at the time they register and (iv) has complied
6with the requirements of this chapter may have their name entered on the list of voters in such
7city or town and may vote therein in any municipal election.
8 Every citizen who (i) is 16 or 17 years old, (ii) is not temporarily or permanently
9disqualified by law because of corrupt practices in respect to elections, (iii) is a resident in the 2 of 2
10city or town where they claim the right to vote at the time they register and (iv) has complied
11with the requirements of this chapter may have their name entered on the list of voters in such
12city or town and may vote therein in any presidential primary; provided, that, the political party
13for which a presidential primary is held shall consent to the participation of 16 and 17 year old
14voters.