Amendment #409 to H4000

An Act relative to identification to vote

Mr. Lombardo of Billerica moves to amend the bill by inserting at the end thereof the following new outside section:-

SECTION XX. Section 76 of chapter 54 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the section in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:-

(a) Each voter desiring to vote at a polling place shall give his name and, if requested, his residence to one of the officers at the entrance to the space within the guard rail, who shall thereupon distinctly announce the same. If such name is found on the voting list, the election officer shall check and repeat the name valid State or Federal photo identification prior to receiving a ballot.  The officer shall verify the voter’s identification matches the name and residence with the voting list.  If verified, the officer and shall admit the voter to the space enclosed by the guard rail and, in case official ballots, other than those marked ''Challenged Ballots'' as provided by section thirty-five A, are used, such voter shall be given one ballot. The use of electronic means such as tape recording equipment or radio broadcasting equipment for the recording or broadcasting of the names of voters not yet checked as having voted shall be prohibited.

(b) A valid government-issued photo identification shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) A Massachusetts driver’s license or state identification card issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles;

(ii) A United States passport;

(iii) A United States military identification card;

(iv) A Massachusetts-issued firearm identification card;

(v) Any other federal or state government-issued identification card that includes a photograph of the voter.

(c) The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall implement a program to provide, at no cost, a Massachusetts photo identification card for voting purposes to any registered voter who does not possess a valid form of photo identification and who signs an affidavit affirming such.

(d)  The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall develop and distribute information to the public regarding the requirements of this section, and shall provide training and guidance to election officials to ensure uniform implementation of the law.

(e) This section shall take effect on January 1, 2026.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #409 to H4000

An Act relative to identification to vote