1986 Nov 4 :: State of Massachusetts :: Question 6 :: Initiative PetitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, which was disapproved by the House of Representatives on May 6, 1986, by a vote of 56-93, and on which no vote was taken by the Senate before May 7, 1986? See summary »

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Choices
 
Yes
 
 
No
 
 
Summary

The proposed law would provide a system of voter registration by mail applicable to all qualified voters and would eliminate statutory provisions permitting certain persons to vote only for presidential electors.

Under this proposed law, the State Secretary would be required to prepare blank forms for affidavits of registration, The Secretary and local boards of registrars would be required to make such forms available to any person eligible to vote in whatever quantity the person requests and to transmit such forms, upon written request, to any person claiming to be qualified to vote, Registrars would also be required to make these forms available at all post offices and at other places within their municipalities, The Secretary would be required to establish a reasonable fee for providing more than 50 forms and to prepare instructions to accompany the forms.

A person seeking to register to vote would be required to complete the affidavit of registration and sign it under oath in the presence of a witness who is at least eighteen years old, The witness would be required to certify that the affidavit was signed in his presence and to date the affidavit.

A completed affidavit of registration could be either delivered or mailed to the appropriate registrar's office, If, from the facts set forth in the affidavit, it appears that the person is qualified to vote, the registrars would be required to add the person's name to the list of registered voters and to so notify the person by first-class, non-forwardable mail, unless the person's name already appears on the local list of residents at the same address, The cost of mailing such notices would be assumed by the Commonwealth, subject to appropriation, If in any year the General Court fails to appropriate funds for that purpose, such notices would not have to be sent, If such a notice is returned undelivered, the city or town clerk would be required to instruct election officials to challenge the person's right to vote at the next election in which he attempts to vote.

The proposed law would also impose criminal penalties of imprisonment for up to two years or a fine up to $2,000 for knowingly or willfully making a false affidavit, taking a false oath, or signing a false certificate relative to the qualifications or registration of any person to vote.

1986 Nov 4 :: State of Massachusetts :: Question 6 :: Initiative PetitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, which was disapproved by the House of Representatives on May 6, 1986, by a vote of 56-93, and on which no vote was taken by the Senate before May 7, 1986? See summary »

Ballot Question Results

View results as: # | %  
Ward
Yes
No
Blank Votes Total Votes Cast Total Ballots Cast
Totals
 
9,558
11,429
2,803
20,987
23,790
Precinct 1
 
235
373
121
608
729
Precinct 2
 
158
220
67
378
445
Precinct 3
 
174
289
61
463
524
Precinct 4
 
171
304
62
475
537
Precinct 5
 
203
193
44
396
440
Precinct 1
 
90
97
55
187
242
Precinct 2
 
238
271
78
509
587
Precinct 3
 
129
132
29
261
290
Precinct 4
 
258
235
78
493
571
Precinct 5
 
269
250
64
519
583
Precinct 6
 
210
216
56
426
482
Precinct 1
 
261
375
114
636
750
Precinct 2
 
278
275
74
553
627
Precinct 3
 
272
315
74
587
661
Precinct 4
 
239
294
66
533
599
Precinct 5
 
253
262
46
515
561
Precinct 1
 
269
393
90
662
752
Precinct 2
 
167
220
87
387
474
Precinct 3
 
314
329
79
643
722
Precinct 4
 
323
403
68
726
794
Precinct 5
 
218
368
124
586
710
Precinct 6
 
228
375
74
603
677
Precinct 1
 
225
292
94
517
611
Precinct 2
 
232
282
83
514
597
Precinct 3
 
334
299
62
633
695
Precinct 4
 
243
330
54
573
627
Precinct 5
 
189
307
61
496
557
Precinct 6
 
262
339
74
601
675
Precinct 1
 
355
330
76
685
761
Precinct 2
 
363
334
73
697
770
Precinct 3
 
354
283
63
637
700
Precinct 4
 
238
293
52
531
583
Precinct 5
 
249
248
53
497
550
Precinct 1
 
301
355
79
656
735
Precinct 2
 
257
315
47
572
619
Precinct 3
 
327
341
80
668
748
Precinct 4
 
425
486
150
911
1,061
Precinct 5
 
247
406
91
653
744
Totals
 
9,558
11,429
2,803
20,987
23,790