H 839
An Act increasing voter registration and participation to help prevent recidivism
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
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Bill overview
This bill aims to increase voter registration and participation among individuals who have been incarcerated for felony convictions. The goal is to reduce recidivism by allowing these individuals to fully participate in the democratic process. By removing barriers to voting, the bill seeks to promote civic engagement and reintegration into society. It builds upon previous attempts to address this issue in Massachusetts.
Key provisions
- Allows incarcerated individuals to register to vote.
- Facilitates the transfer of voter registration to individuals upon release from incarceration.
- Ensures that individuals who were previously incarcerated but have completed their sentences can vote.
- Addresses logistical challenges related to voter registration for formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Promotes civic engagement among a specific population group.
Who is affected
- Formerly incarcerated individuals
- Individuals released from incarceration
- People with felony convictions
- Voters in Massachusetts
- The Department of Correction
Notable changes
- Removes barriers to voter registration for individuals with felony convictions.
- Aligns voting rights with reintegration efforts.
- Builds on previous legislative attempts to address this issue.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Russell E. Holmes
Cosponsor
Russell E. Holmes
Arguments in favor
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Bill H.839 194th (Current)
An Act increasing voter registration and participation to help prevent recidivism
By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 839) of Russell E. Holmes relative to increasing voter registration and participation of people incarcerated for felony convictions to help prevent recidivism. Election Laws.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenter: Russell E. Holmes
Tabs
Bill History Petitioners Committee Vote Committee Summary Hearing Attendance
Bill History
Displaying 5 actions for Bill H.839
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Election Laws |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 8/29/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 09/16/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in B-1 |
| House | Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order | |
| 4/2/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5311 (under House Rule 27) |
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