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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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Watch “The League Presents…”

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

  • The League Presents: Zoning Redesign, part 1
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  • The League Presents: What it means to be a League of Women Voters member
  • The League Presents: A Conversation with Three New School Committee Members
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Facebook Posts

Ellen Auerbach Grody
Ellen Auerbach Grody

June 28th, 11:33 am

Thank you for the recent letter to the mayor:LWVN Board Concurs with Newton Citizens Commission on Energy’s Memo Rejecting Newton Cemetery’s Tree Removal RequestJune 24, 2022On June 24, 2022, LWVN sent an email to Mayor Fuller expressing our our agreement with the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy (NCCE)’s memo of June 20th stating “We are writing to you regarding the Newton Cemetery’ request for exemption from the Tree Preservation Ordinance. We urge you to stand with the Director of Urban Forestry in denying that request and any waiver of its consequences. We also urge you to ask the City Council to revise the ordinance language to clarify their intent that the Tree Preservation Ordinance not exclude any property owners from its provisions.” ... See MoreSee Less
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 22nd, 6:26 pm

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law - https://mailchi.mp/56363aee24bf/votes_act_update-8901645 ... See MoreSee Less

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law

mailchi.mp

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 21st, 11:26 am

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety - https://mailchi.mp/ceafe522986a/newton-public-facilities-meeting-new-pipelines-and-gas-valve-safety ... See MoreSee Less

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 13th, 10:33 am

LWVN has launched an important new "Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative". Learn more here!: https://lwvnewton.org/2022/06/… ... See MoreSee Less

Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative: Mission Statement and Goals - League of Women Voters Newton

lwvnewton.org

Throughout its 102-year history, the League of Women Voters has been a vigorous advocate for transparent and accountable government. The League strongly believes that transparency and accountability i...
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 9th, 10:12 am

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee - https://mailchi.mp/6365b29fa297/votes_act_update ... See MoreSee Less

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee

mailchi.mp

Boston, MA — The Massachusetts VOTES Act Conference Committee today released its version of the comprehensive election reform bill, which will now head to the House and Senate for final procedural...
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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.

© 2022 League of Women Voters® Newton | P.O. Box 610207, Newton, MA 02461 | info@lwvnewton.org

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