HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 237        FILED ON: 1/14/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 788

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Dylan A. Fernandes

_________________

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 making voting obligatory and increasing turnout in elections.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Dylan A. Fernandes

Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket

1/7/2021


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 237        FILED ON: 1/14/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 788

By Mr. Fernandes of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 788) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to require that all eligible voters in the Commonwealth be required to cast ballots in the November general election.  Election Laws.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act making voting obligatory and increasing turnout in elections.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 51 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 34 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 34. There shall be no deadline for registering to vote for any election in Massachusetts.

SECTION 2. Chapter 54 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 25A the following section:-

Section 25A½. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, all eligible voters in the commonwealth shall be required to cast a ballot in the November general election. A fee of $15 shall be added to the voter’s state tax liability for each November general election that voter did not mail in or drop off a ballot on time. Nothing shall impede a voter’s right to complete and return a ballot that does not include any actual votes for candidates. The department of revenue in consultation with the secretary of state’s office shall develop a system to assess the fee.