An Act relative to youth voting and civic participation
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill proposes to allow seventeen-year-olds to vote in Massachusetts’ preliminary and primary elections. Currently, only citizens aged eighteen and older are eligible to vote in these elections. The bill aims to increase civic engagement among young people and potentially broaden the pool of candidates considered during these early stages of the election process. It seeks to grant this voting right to certain seventeen-year-olds, expanding access to the democratic process.
Key provisions
- Allows seventeen-year-olds to vote in preliminary and primary elections.
- Expands the electorate by including a younger voting population.
- The bill was referred to the committee on Election Laws and subsequently reported.
- The bill was accompanied by a study order (H.5253).
- The Senate concurred with the House version of the bill.
- A hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2025.
Who is affected
- Seventeen-year-olds in Massachusetts
- Political candidates
- Voters in Massachusetts
- Election officials
- The political parties of Massachusetts
Notable changes
- Currently, only individuals aged 18 and older can vote in Massachusetts primary and preliminary elections.
- This bill would create an exception to this age restriction for certain seventeen-year-olds.
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
4 on record
Primary sponsor
Jack Patrick Lewis
Cosponsors
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours