House Passes Legislation To Have Automatic Voter Registration

A release from the office of State Representative Michael Day:

(BOSTON) – Representative Michael S. Day joined his colleagues in the House in passing H4667, “An Act automatically registering eligible voters and enhancing safeguards against fraud.” This legislation is estimated to lead to between 500,000 and 700,000 newly registered voters and increase voter turnout by 5 percent.

“With many other states taking measures that are making voting more difficult and driving down voter participation, I am proud that we in Massachusetts are moving in the other direction and encouraging more of our residents to become active voters,” said Representative Day. “Along with the legislation we recently passed to increase the teaching of civics in our schools, this bill underscores the commitment we in the House of Representatives have in improving active engagement between our government and our citizens.”

If passed, this legislation will automatically register individuals who use the Registry of Motor Vehicles or MassHealth to vote. Officials at the agencies would explain to citizens that an application for a license, identification card or health care coverage would also qualify as a registration to vote unless the individual wishes to decline the voter registration. Officials would submit the information to local election clerks from the city or town in which the individual resides, and the clerk would then contact the citizen to determine whether that person wants to register under a political party. If the individual declines to specify a political party, the clerk will automatically classify the individual as unenrolled.

Massachusetts would be the 14th state to pass a legislation to enact a form of automatic voter registration. Costs incurred in establishing the system will be funded by the Help America Vote Act, a federal law enacted in 2002 to provide grants to states pursuing improvements in voting systems and voter access.

“I am hopeful other states will follow our lead in making voting easier for our citizens, not more difficult,” continued Representative Day. “Now more than ever we must do what we can to engage and encourage our citizens to make their voices heard in our government.”

The bill now moves to the State Senate for consideration.