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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2491 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 509
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
William J. Driscoll, Jr.
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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 relative to the preparation of bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole in the city
known as the town of Randolph.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :William J. Driscoll, Jr.Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2491 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 509
By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 509) of William J. Driscoll, Jr.
(with the vote of the town) for legislation relative to the preparation of bilingual ballots in
English and Haitian Creole for state elections in the city known as the town of Randolph.
Election Laws. [Local Approval Received.]
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4049 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 relative to the preparation of bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole in the city
known as the town of Randolph.
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. As used in this act, the following words shall have the following meanings
2unless the context clearly requires otherwise:-
3 "Board", the board of registrars of the town.
4 "Town", the city known as the town of Randolph.
5 "Election", the choice by the voters of any public officer and the taking of a vote upon
6any question by law submitted to the voters. 2 of 2
7 "State election", an election at which a national, state or county officer or a regional
8district school committee member elected districtwide is to be chosen by the voters, whether for
9a full term or for the filling of a vacancy.
10 SECTION 2. Notwithstanding section 40 of chapter 54 of the General Laws or any other
11general or special law to the contrary, in state elections ballots shall be provided to voters in the
12town in English and Haitian Creole, in addition to being provided in any other languages
13required by law. The state secretary shall prepare such ballots in English and Haitian Creole and
14in any other languages required by law.
15 SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law or the charter of the town to the
16contrary, in all town preliminary and final elections ballots shall be provided to voters in the
17town in English and Haitian Creole, in addition to being provided in any other languages
18required by law. The board shall prepare such ballots in English and Haitian Creole and in any
19other languages required by law.
20 SECTION 4. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the state
21secretary shall be responsible for all costs resulting from the implementation of this act in state
22elections held in the town, including, without limitation, the production of ballots.
23 SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.