Aug 22, 2022 Category : Government . First up is legislation known as the Restore the Vote bill, having passed the You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com. Backed by majorities in the Massachusetts House and Senate, the Work & Family Mobility Act was reported favorably out of the Joint Committee on Transportation last session but did not come to a final vote, with uncertain support from leadership and Gov. Signatures for a veto referendum petition must be submitted no more than 90 days after the governor signs the targeted bill or it is enacted into law. Heres everything to know about the debate around Question 4: After years of lobbying, advocacy and tweaks, proponents of the law scored a victory earlier this year when the state House of Representatives voted to pass the bill in February. Here is what you need to know about Question 4, regarding eligibility for driver's licenses. Firearms Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is poised to sign a pair of bills that recently passed the state Senate which restore the voting rights of convicted felons immediately upon release and grant the ability for illegal immigrants to obtain a driver's license. In this section, Ballotpedia does not include opinion pieces written by individuals or groups that do not represent the official position of a newspaper or media outlet. As of July 1 2022, 18 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico issue driver's licenses or permits to some or all of the population residing without inspection in the United States. Its a dangerous law Its a law that circumvents the federal authorities who have the primary jurisdiction in vetting these people (from other countries), McMahon said. Charlie Baker on Friday vetoed a bill making immigrants without legal status eligible to seek state-issued driver's licenses, saying the Registry of Motor Vehicles, an agency that he oversees, doesn't have the ability to verify the identities of potential applicants. "This isn't an immigration issue. Governor Baker supports existing laws in Massachusetts, enacted on a bipartisan basis, that ensure Massachusetts compliance with federal REAL ID requirements and enable those who demonstrate lawful presence in the United States to obtain a license, Terry MacCormack, a spokesman for the governor, told MassLive on Tuesday. School districts | These people are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who are here to be an active part of the American dream, and they arent going anywhere.. Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. too many. Like driver safety, it impacts all of us, she said. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. On June 27, 2022, the referendum was cleared for signature gathering. too many, The following were the top donors who contributed to the opposition committees.Cite error: Invalid tag; invalid names, e.g. Business regulation This bill is patently unfair to those who have taken the time to immigrate to our great country via legal means and significantly diminishes the public safety of all residents of the Commonwealth. Question 4 would allow undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts to obtain a drivers license or learners permit if they meet all necessary requirements such as a road test, proof of identity and residency. The state Senate picked up the bill, too, before Baker vetoed it in May. The law also requires the registrar and the Secretary of the Commonwealth to establish procedures and regulations to ensure that an applicant for a standard drivers license or learners permit who does not provide proof of lawful presence will not be automatically registered to vote. As of September 2022, 17 states and Washington, D.C. had enacted laws authorizing the issuance of driver's licenses to immigrants who cannot provide proof of lawful or authorized presence. The effort ultimately received more than enough support to make the ballot. The new law will extend driving privileges to an estimated 45,000-85,000 people over the next three years, according to MassBudget. Laws we must follow to ensure a fair, safe, and functional society. Mass. The new law, if not rejected by voters, will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a standard state drivers license beginning July 1, 2023. The law, as currently written, takes hold on July 1. II. You are voting for the first time in Massachusetts in a federal election; You are casting a provisional or challenged ballot; The poll worker has a reasonable suspicion that leads them to request identification. BOSTON (AP) Massachusetts voters will get the chance to decide whether the state should reject a new law allowing immigrants in the country illegally to obtain state driver's licenses. Massachusetts Question 4, the Remove Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status for Driver's License Applications Referendum, was on the ballot in Massachusetts as a veto referendum on November 8, 2022. He said despite a decline in hit-and-runs, fatal crashes are up. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. Click here for the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information. PODER of Idaho is an organization that works to empower the Latinx and immigrant communities in the areas of immigrant rights, economic justice, education and social justice. Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to more than 200,000 immigrants without legal status, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Ballotpedia includes editorials from newspapers and outlets based on: To submit a media editorial for inclusion, email editor@ballotpedia.org. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. display: inline; Larry Fish, chairman of the Board of Directors for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and former CEO of Citizens Bank, noted that the immigrant and undocumented community is being pushed away from places near economic opportunities as a result of the extremely high cost of housing.. Guthrie has worked on the issue for several years and said the focal point of the bill is providing an opportunity for people to obtain a drivers license regardless of their immigration status. Massachusetts senators passed a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to receive drivers' licenses. The law would require the registrar and Secretary of State to establish regulations ensuring undocumented immigrants who get a drivers license will not be automatically registered to vote. We cannot reward people who broke our laws to be here., The committee argues the law would attract more immigrants without legal status to the Bay State and would also place election integrity at risk by opening a backdoor for undocumented immigrants to use a drivers license to vote.. Driving is not a luxury, Roman said. Sponsors of the measure hired Antonio Molle and Sadie Webb to collect signatures for the petition to qualify this measure for the ballot. Members of the diverse and united Driving Families Forward coalition have fought tirelessly for nearly 20 years to allow individuals to apply for driver's licenses regardless of immigration status, and we will continue to fight for this reform as long as it takes. McMahon also noted issues with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and its capacity to vet foreign documents. Additionally, applicants must pass a road test and be in compliance with insurance requirements. Earlier this year, the state Legislature overrode a veto from Gov. by Clark Corbin, Idaho Capital Sun February 28, 2023. Debate: Question 4 would let undocumented immigrants to get a drivers license in Massachusetts. .sbtotaltotal { We have an urgent need for labor in this state. State lawmakers then overrode Bakers veto in June. "UndocuGrads: Navigating Graduate School as an Undocumented Student" 2019 Public Policy and International Affairs Program: Open to Undocumented Students; 2018-2019 Peer Engagement and Enrichment Program (PEEP) for Undocumented Students Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. For that reason, some law enforcement leaders have backed the measure, including the Massachusetts Major Cities Chiefs of Police Association. John Milligan, of Fair and Secure Massachusetts, expands on this in his argument explaining the No vote published by the Secretary of States office: In his veto message of this bill, Governor Charlie Baker made it known that the Registry of Motor Vehicles does not have the capability or expertise necessary to verify documents from other countries and notes that, if this bill becomes law, Massachusetts drivers licenses will no longer confirm that a person is who they say they are.Additionally, Governor Baker states the bill specifically restricts the Registrys ability to share citizenship information with entities responsible for ensuring only citizens register to vote and vote in our elections, significantly increasing the likelihood that noncitizens will register to vote. New: With 32 votes in the affirmative to eight in the negative, @MA_Senate passes a bill allowing undocumented Immigrants to get drivers licenses @NBC10Boston pic.twitter.com/A02E6xmqXK. Ballotpedia lists the positions of and excerpts from editorials supporting or opposing ballot measures from the editorial boards of certain media outlets. American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. How to run for office | the state House of Representatives voted to pass the bill in February. Democratic-controlled General Court overrides Gov. The committee reported $3.6 million in contributions. Illegal immigrants in Massachusetts will be able to obtain driver's licenses after state lawmakers voted Thursday to override a veto from Republican Gov. "This makes our roads safer by requiring that everybody follow the same set of rules," Crighton said. To prove identity and date of birth, applicants need to provide the RMV with at least two documents from both of these categories: At least one of the documents must include a photograph and at least one must state a date of birth. Charlie Baker, but shortly afterwards, a committee called Fair and Secure Massachusetts mobilized to get a referendum on the ballot and put the question to voters. Two years after lawmakers passed the Green Light law, arrests plummeted to about 30,000.. Speaking in support, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Adam Gomez (D), said: Allowing parents to drive their kids to school, take them to doctor's appointments or be in charge of carpooling to take their kids to soccer, all without the concern they may be separated if they are pulled over, will allow children of undocumented immigrants to breathe and have a sigh of relief.[15][6]. It also authorized registrars to accept certain documents to verify the identity and date of birth of an applicant. [13] In lieu of citizenship or immigration information, the bill allowed registrars to accept two documents that prove the date of birth and identity of the applicant, including foreign passports, birth certificates, or consular identification documents.[14]. Elections in 2023 | -webkit-columns: 2; No more than one-quarter of the certified signatures on initiative or referendum petitions may come from any one county. Brazilian Worker Center Executive Director Lenita Reason, center, delivers remarks around midnight rallying supporters of the ballot question. A valid unexpired driver's license from any United States state or territory; an original or certified copy of a birth certificate; a valid unexpired foreign national identification card; a. licenses to qualified immigrants without legal status, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, Massachusetts drivers license bill has momentum to pass despite COVID-19, governors opposition, lawmakers say, Lawmakers renew push to expand drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts, Immigration reforms proposed by President Joe Biden stand to benefit over 200,000 Massachusetts residents, families. COVID strikes, the national food supply chain is rattled, and we momentarily wake up in our state and declare farm workers are sometimes essential when we need the fruits of their labor, Philip Korman, executive director of the nonprofit Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, said Tuesday. The law directs the registrar of motor vehicles to make regulations regarding the documents required of United States citizens and others who provide proof of lawful presence with their license application. "The Ed Trust report shines a light on the reforms necessary to provide equity for the more than 427,000 undocumented students seeking a higher education, a pathway to citizenship, and economic mobility. [2], Yes on 4 led the campaign in support of a 'yes' vote on Question 4. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. Yes on 4 led the campaign in support of a 'yes' vote on Question 4. } Tobacco, What's on my ballot? Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to more than 200,000 immigrants without legal status, according to the Migration Policy Institute. The group contends the law helps protect public safety through ensuring all drivers learn and are properly vetted for safe driving practices. . 4805) May 27, 2022" accessed May 27, 2022, Petition drive deadlines and requirements, Changes in 2022 to laws governing the initiative process, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Massachusetts_Question_4,_Remove_Proof_of_Citizenship_or_Immigration_Status_for_Driver%27s_License_Applications_Referendum_(2022)&oldid=9049900, Massachusetts 2022 ballot measures, certified, Veto referendum certified for the 2022 ballot, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. "[3], Fair and Secure Massachusetts led the campaign in support of a 'no' vote on Question 4. The new law will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a standard state driver's license beginning July 1, 2023. Photo: Steph Solis/Axios. Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, said, "The Work and Family Mobility Act makes our communities safer, builds trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, and benefits our economy. States issuing driver's licenses to immigrants who cannot provide proof of lawful presence. A similar bill has already passed in that House with a veto-proof majority. If the Idaho Senate passes the bill, it would be sent to the Idaho House of Representatives for consideration. Massachusetts does not allow same-day voter registration. On September 9, 2022, the secretary of state announced that the campaign had submitted 71,883 valid signatures qualifying the referendum for the ballot. The three-year initiative is called Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence, Effort to repeal immigrant driver's license law hits milestone ahead of ballot deadline, Massachusetts Ballot Question 2: What you need to know about proposed changes for dental insurance, Massachusetts Ballot Question 1: What you need to know about the millionaires tax, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. Its a critical tool of mobility in Massachusetts. To pass the bill, it impacts all of us, she said the Restore the bill... Worker Center Executive Director Lenita reason, some law enforcement leaders have backed the measure, including Massachusetts! Of rules, '' Crighton said noted issues with the Registry of Motor from. [ 3 ], Yes on 4 led the campaign in support of a 'yes ' vote Question! House with a veto-proof majority a road test and be in compliance with requirements! 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