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Massachusetts Voters Bill of Rights

On June 16, 2004, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, William F. Galvin, and the President of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, Madhu Sridhar, jointly signed a Voters’ Bill of Rights for Massachusetts citizens at the Statehouse.  This document, prepared by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, was designed to ensure that voters clearly understand their voting rights in simple language.

Voting is the most fundamental way in which all citizens participate directly in our democracy.   But many citizens are unsure of their rights at the polls. The fifteen rights listed in the Voters’ Bill of Rights include some of the most basic ones, such as:

  • The right to vote in privacy – an important voting concept that keeps our democracy free;
  • The right to cast a provisional ballot if you are not on the voters’ list – ensuring that every voter is valued in this democracy; and
  • The right to a replacement ballot if an error is made while marking a ballot –guaranteeing that the voter can cast a ballot that will count and will reflect the voter’s choice.

At the signing, League President Madhu Sridhar stated, “The strength of a democracy is measured, in large part, by the full and valued participation of its citizens. We are pleased to join as a partner with Secretary Galvin in this effort to make voters aware of their rights at the polls. At this time when Massachusetts is absorbed in upcoming partisan politics, we want to continue to focus on the central player in our democracy – the voter.”

Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin said, “I congratulate the Massachusetts League of Women Voters for their initiative in producing this Voters’ Bill of Rights for the polling places of the Commonwealth. Media reports of voting problems from other states can produce confusion at times, and voters may not be aware of their rights until they need one, so this concise list of all their rights will help ensure that everyone who is qualified to vote and wants to vote is able to do so.”

Read the Massachusetts Voters’ Bill of Rights in English.

Read the Massachusetts Voters’ Bill of Rights in Spanish.

Read the Massachusetts Voters’ Bill of Rights in Chinese.

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Upcoming Events

Mar 9
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Representing the 4th: A Conversation with Barney Frank, Joe Kennedy III, and Jake Auchincloss

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Special Election on Tuesday, March 16, 2021

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The League Presents... is a monthly program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

  • Saying Thank You and Good-bye – A conversation with outgoing City Clerk David Olson
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March 4th, 5:00 pm

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March 4th, 10:39 am

Barney Frank, Joe Kennedy And Jake Auchincloss To Talk In Newton

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The League of Women Voters in Newton are hosting an online discussion with the three latest Newton Congressmen to represent the district.
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March 2nd, 4:30 pm

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March 2nd, 1:49 pm

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February 26th, 11:16 am

JOIN US! A Discussion with Barney Frank, Joe Kennedy III, and Jake Auchincloss

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For almost 50 years, our Congressional representative from the MA 4th District has been a Newton resident. Join us to hear from the three most recent, whose collective time in Congress dates back to 1...
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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