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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 667 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 505
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Cynthia Stone Creem
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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 establishing same day voter registration.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Cynthia Stone CreemNorfolk and MiddlesexRebecca L. RauschNorfolk, Worcester and Middlesex1/17/2025Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester1/22/2025Carmine Lawrence Gentile13th Middlesex1/22/2025James B. EldridgeMiddlesex and Worcester1/28/2025Sal N. DiDomenicoMiddlesex and Suffolk1/30/2025Patricia D. JehlenSecond Middlesex2/19/2025Robyn K. KennedyFirst Worcester2/19/2025Paul W. MarkBerkshire, Hampden, Franklin and
Hampshire
2/27/2025William J. Driscoll, Jr.Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol3/5/2025 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 667 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 505
By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 505) of Cynthia Stone Creem,
Rebecca L. Rausch, Joanne M. Comerford, Carmine Lawrence Gentile and other members of the
General Court for legislation to establish same day voter registration. Election Laws.
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 establishing same day voter registration.
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 inserting after section 34 the
2following section:-
3 Section 34A. (a) An individual who is eligible to vote may register as a voter by
4appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the individual resides, or by
5appearing in person at an early voting site for the city or town in which the individual resides,
6during the hours it is open for voting, by presenting proof of residence and by completing and
7signing an affidavit of registration in the form prescribed by the state secretary, which shall
8include substantially this oath: I certify that I am a citizen of the United States; am at least 18
9years old; am not under guardianship that prohibits me from voting; am not temporarily or
10permanently disqualified by law because of corrupt practices in respect to elections; have not and
11will not vote in any other location within the commonwealth or elsewhere; and understand that
12giving false information is punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment or a fine of not 2 of 3
13more than $5,000, or both. The right to assistance in voting under section 79 of chapter 54 shall
14apply to individuals registering as voters under this section.
15 (b) As used in this section, the term “proof of residence” means one of the following, so
16long as it includes the name of the registrant and the address from which the registrant is
17registering:
18 (i) a valid photo identification including, but not limited to, a Massachusetts driver’s
19license or other state-issued identification card; or
20 (ii) other documentation demonstrating the name and address where the registrant resides
21and seeks to register including, but not limited to, a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement,
22government check, residential lease agreement, wireless telephone statement, paycheck, other
23government document or correspondence, a current student fee statement or other document
24from a post-secondary educational institution that verifies the student’s current address.
25 (c) Upon compliance with subsection (a), an election officer shall permit the registrant to
26vote at that primary or election. Any person who registers to vote under this section shall be
27registered as a voter at all later primaries and elections, subject to this chapter.
28 (d) A registrant who fails to present proof of residence shall be permitted to deposit a
29provisional ballot under section 76C of chapter 54, but shall within 2 business days after the
30primary or within 6 days after the election present proof of residence to the city or town clerk.
31 (e) The registrars may correct information supplied by the registrant to the extent
32necessary to maintain the integrity of their records. If an affidavit is incomplete or if it appears 3 of 3
33from the facts set forth in the affidavit that the registrant is not qualified to register as a voter, the
34registrars shall proceed in accordance with section 47.
35 (f) As soon as practicable after the primary or election, the registrars shall add the
36registrant’s name, address and effective date of registration to the register of voters.
37 (g) A voter shall not change party enrollment at a primary under this section.
38 (h) Upon credible information or allegation of illegal voter registration, or credible
39information or allegation of illegal multiple voting, the registrars shall proceed under section 48,
40and the attorney general or the appropriate district attorney shall investigate the information or
41allegation. Nothing in this subsection shall exclude enforcement by any means otherwise
42provided by law.
43 (i) Violations of this section shall be punished under sections 8, 26 and 27 of chapter 56.