Submitted by thomastodon01027 t3_yiedy2 in massachusetts
nattarbox t1_iuigk2q wrote
Reply to comment by [deleted] in Question 4 is an investment in health [Commonwealth Magazine] by thomastodon01027
Only citizens can vote. They wouldn't be able to register.
There are some local election exceptions.
[deleted] t1_iuiiq15 wrote
[deleted]
thedecentshepherd t1_iuimhu6 wrote
While they should opt out of registering to vote, the RMV and other automatic registration methods then submit the application to the relevant local election official. The election official then has the duty to certify citizenship and their right to vote.
If they do not have the right, then they are not added to the list and usually are told so
Edit: further clarification
Wise-Craft2113 t1_iuin48p wrote
Interesting information. Thank you. Do the local authorities actually do that or do they just add them to the voter roles?
petepont t1_iuipd74 wrote
Yes, the local election official follows the procedure to check whether they're eligible to vote, since that's literally their job
thedecentshepherd t1_iuippov wrote
And further there is a yearly training in Mass about how to go about it
petepont t1_iuipzuq wrote
That user is over here JAQing off
thedecentshepherd t1_iuiqrm4 wrote
I'd suggest them to read through Mass General Laws c.51
Wise-Craft2113 t1_iuirgjr wrote
Does it document a process? Send me an exact link to the process please if you know how it works.
This is a legitimate question. Downvote all you want.
Please note i never said i was opposed to the issuance of these licenses for undocumented applicants.
thedecentshepherd t1_iuitb5b wrote
You could contact the Secretary of States office, they may be able to answer these questions.
I could only find the duty of the roles of the registrar and what they're to do. It did not include how they go about it. Unfortunately only have time to skim lol
petepont t1_iuity9x wrote
It actually does, in section 42H
>Registrars of voters in cities and towns shall receive completed affidavits of voter registration from registration agencies, from individuals and organizations conducting voter registration, through the United States mail, through the online portal and by hand delivery. Upon receipt of each completed affidavit, the registrars shall certify the receipt thereof and shall notify the registrant of the disposition of the affidavit. Said registrars shall add the registrant's name, address and effective date of registration to the annual register of voters in accordance with section forty-six, effective at the time set forth in section forty-two G; provided, however, that the state secretary may, by regulation adopted pursuant to section forty-seven C, provide that electronic transmission alone of the information contained in the affidavit of registration shall be sufficient for such purpose. The registrars may correct information supplied by the registrant to the extent necessary to maintain the integrity of their records. If an affidavit is incomplete or if it appears from the facts set forth in the affidavit that the registrant is not qualified to register as a voter, the registrars shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of section forty-seven. If an affidavit is dated by the registration agency or postmarked during the period when registration to qualify as a voter in a particular election is prohibited by section twenty-six, the registrant's name shall be added to the annual register for all subsequent elections and the registrars shall so notify such registrant. All records of voter registration held by registration agencies shall be available for inspection and copying by the registrars of the registrant's city or town or by summons in a legal proceeding.
But of course, that won't satisfy this person, who has now changed the goalposts to demand a precise list of steps that the Registrars need to complete, instead of admitting that the question has been answered: these applicants for licenses cannot in fact register to vote, and there is a clear process that prevents this.
thedecentshepherd t1_iuiutfv wrote
And then it goes into further detail in Section 49
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVIII/Chapter51/Section49
petepont t1_iuiw7v5 wrote
And also Section 36, and some other national laws/regulations referenced there which describe the precise manner in which someone may prove themselves a citizen.
But this person wants us to provide something that says "Step 1: Go to citizensearch.gov Step 2: Type in the name Step 3:....", which is stupid
Wise-Craft2113 t1_iuiumsa wrote
You know that is complete BS. Don't turn this into a personal attack
SHOW ME THE PROCESS THEY USE TO VERIFY THE CITIZENSHIP.
thedecentshepherd t1_iuiv9o2 wrote
Section 49, I am sure each locality has its own way of going about it. There are 351 municipalities. Each with their own election office.
Wise-Craft2113 t1_iuivs4w wrote
Thank you. I will call my town and ask as i'm curious.
Wise-Craft2113 t1_iuivmbh wrote
Yes. I'll do that. thank you for a reasonable answer. There must be a process. Signing an affidavit can't be enough.. or perhaps it is? I don't know but would like to know.
thedecentshepherd t1_iuiwaxq wrote
Well there is a $10,000 fine along with illegally registering.
The voter registration form also gives a lot of information.
Wise-Craft2113 t1_iuiwn5n wrote
Thank you.
petepont t1_iuisww5 wrote
Your question has been answered, and that link includes the process and requirements. Go ahead and read through it
Wise-Craft2113 t1_iuir6om wrote
So do they ask the applicant to come and present documentation? What is the process. That's all i'm asking.
Wise-Craft2113 t1_iuihr78 wrote
So your saying they have to prove citizenship if they tick the box on the form. You know this for a fact?
"the registrar of motor vehicles may not ask about or create a record of the citizenship"
thedecentshepherd t1_iuiqyl0 wrote
It's not the RMVs job, it is the local election officials job.
PakkyT t1_iuisb2g wrote
To get a Real ID you need to prove you are a citizen. Therefore immigrants who get a license will only get a standard license which will clearly state it isn't a federal ID. As such there will be no "voter registration" going on with that person by the RMV.
In addition, most people here undocumented are not going to try and register to vote because "non-citizen who submits a voter registration application may be subject to deportation proceedings." and why would they go out of their way to make themselves a focus of immigration officials?
Wise-Craft2113 t1_iuiw4z5 wrote
Understood but they will also issue "regular" licenses and it's this process i'm asking about in terms of voter registration (VR). Now perhaps they won't give that VR option unless you are applying for a Real ID, which would be fine of course and even logical.
PakkyT t1_iuj1uxy wrote
They won't give you the option if you are not getting a real ID because "if your citizenship has not been confirmed by the RMV, MassHealth, or the Health Connector, you will not be registered to vote." And if you are not providing the documents to the RMV for a Read ID license then they can not have confirmed your citizenship and therefore they are not going to register you to vote.
Wise-Craft2113 t1_iuji2l9 wrote
Ah an answer! Thank you! It's interesting that it says in the bill / petition:
"the registrar of motor vehicles may not ask about or create a record of the citizenship"
https://www.yahoo.com/now/explainer-ballot-4-allow-undocumented-125234824.html
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele22/information-for-voters-22/quest_4.htm
Clear as mud as always.
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