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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2617 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 861
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Edward R. Philips
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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 authorizing local voting rights for permanent resident aliens residing in Sharon.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Edward R. Philips8th Norfolk1/16/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2617 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 861
By Representative Philips of Sharon, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 861) of
Edward R. Philips (by vote of the town) that the town of Sharon be authorized to grant local
voting rights for permanent resident aliens in said town. Election Laws. [Local Approval
Received.]
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3899 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 authorizing local voting rights for permanent resident aliens residing in Sharon.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of section one of Chapter fifty-one of the
2General Laws, or any other general or special law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, residents of
3the town of Sharon who are aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United
4States and who meet all qualifications for registering to vote except U.S. citizenship, may, upon
5application, have their names entered on a register of qualified permanent resident alien voters
6and may thereafter vote in any election for local offices, local ballot questions, and at Town
7Meeting.
8 SECTION 2. The Sharon Select Board is authorized to formulate regulations and
9guidelines to implement the purpose of this act. 2 of 2
10 SECTION 3. Nothing in this act shall be construed to confer upon permanent resident
11aliens the right to vote for any state or federal office or any state or federal ballot question.