The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday voted in favor of a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses. Massachusetts senators passed a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to receive drivers' licenses. The following are acceptable forms of identification:[25], Massachusetts automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, division of medical assistance, health insurance connector authority, and other agencies that collect what state law defines as reliable citizenship information.[26]. "This makes our roads safer by requiring that everybody follow the same set of rules," Crighton said. Any information or communication provided by an applicant to the registrar of motor vehicles, including not providing proof of lawful presence, would not be considered public record nor be disclosed by the registrar, except as required by federal law.[1]. Question 4 asks voters whether to uphold a new law that allows immigrants without legal status to apply for a Massachusetts driver's license. The new law will extend driving privileges to an estimated 45,000-85,000 people over the next three years, according to MassBudget. Economically speaking, access to a vehicle also opens doors for new jobs and even gives some folks the tools to start a business, Driscoll said at the time. Massachusetts Question 4, Remove Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status for Driver's License Applications Referendum (2022). Sheriffs in general do not feel that issuing this restricted driving card to somebody thats broken potentially broken federal immigration laws is not a good policy for sheriffs, Clearwater County Sheriff Chris Goetz said. If the new bill passes, people who apply for a standard driver's license will need to provide proof of identity, date of birth and state residency, according to the bill. The state Senate picked up the bill, too, before Baker vetoed it in May. See20 CFR 655.120(b)(4). Ballotpedia identified the following media editorial boards as taking positions on the referendum. A bill to allow undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses in Massachusetts is all but law Thursday, passing the Senate with a large enough margin to overrule a veto from Gov.. Democratic-controlled General Court overrides Gov. 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.. The ability to get behind a wheel and drive to work, or take your child to a doctors appointment, is something that many of us might take for granted," Spilka said. Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to more than 200,000 immigrants without legal status, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Guthrie said drivers licenses are a basic necessity and would give all Idahoans 16 and older the opportunity to drive legally. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, sponsored Senate Bill 1081, which would create the new restricted drivers license anyone 16 or older who resides in Idaho could obtain, regardless of whether they have a Social Security number. .arguments-bm-widget li { Sec. The law provides that, when processing an application for such a license or learners permit or motor vehicle registration, the registrar of motor vehicles may not ask about or create a record of the citizenship or immigration status of the applicant, except as otherwise required by law. Sen. Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian, pushed to send the bill to the Senate floor without recommendation, acknowledging that her motion was unusual and could be viewed as the committee abdicating its responsibility to vet legislation and make a clear recommendation. It will be up to the House to initiate a veto override, with a two thirds vote required in each branch to make the bill law. 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. Driscoll cited three main reasons for her support of the law: moral considerations, economic effects, and public safety. Massachusetts voters narrowly approved a law that allows those in the U.S. illegally to obtain a driver's license. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. I am still wrestling with this, and my recommendation is not an indication of potential support on the floor, Den Hartog said during Tuesdays meeting. The committee collected over 100,000 signatures to place the veto referendum on the ballot. The bill cleared both branches with more than enough support to override Baker's veto. The MassGOP-led push to repeal the law through the ballot question began in June, with a kick-off from Diehl and his running mate, now Republican nominee for lieutenant governor Leah Allen. The campaign received endorsements from ACLU of Massachusetts and SEIU of Massachusetts. "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 Opponents of the law, backed by MassGOP President Jim Lyons, launched a repeal effort and garnered enough signatures to put the new law to a vote in yesterdays election. During Tuesdays hearing, the organization PODER of Idaho presented a petition with 8,000 signatures supporting the bill to create a restricted drivers license. -moz-columns: 1; 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. 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. Massachusetts voters rejected the repeal of a new law that lets immigrants obtain state-issued drivers licenses regardless of their legal status, the Associated Press reports. "The rule of law matters," Lyons said. The registrar may review any documents issued by another country to determine whether they may be used as proof of identity or date of birth, according to a summary of the law from the Secretary of States office. Cities | This law allows Massachusetts residents who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain a standard drivers license or learners permit if they meet all the other qualifications for a standard license or learners permit, including a road test and insurance, and provide proof of their identity, date of birth, and residency. 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, the Secretary of States office says. font-weight:bold; 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. Republican grassroots organizers said last . 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. The law requires that applicants for a drivers license or learners permit shall attest, under the pains and penalties of perjury, that their license has not been suspended or revoked in any other state, country, or jurisdiction. Massachusetts voterswill decide this November whether to overturna new lawthat makes undocumented immigrantseligible for driver's licenses. On September 9, 2022, the secretary of state announced that the campaign had submitted 71,883 valid signatures qualifying the referendum for the ballot. margin-bottom: 10px; The law specifies that information provided by or relating to any applicant or license-holder will not be a public record and shall not be disclosed, except as required by federal law or as authorized by Attorney General regulations, and except for purposes of motor vehicle insurance. If the law is not overturned by voters, it will go into effect next July. We couldn't do it without you. 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. Charles Baker's (R) veto of bill regarding driver's license and vehicle registration applications, States issuing driver's licenses to immigrants who cannot provide proof of lawful presence, Oregon Alternative Driver Licenses Referendum, Measure 88 (2014), Massachusetts veto referendum ballot measures, recently scheduled reports processed by Ballotpedia, Campaign finance requirements for Massachusetts ballot measures, List of Massachusetts veto referendum ballot measures, Massachusetts Question 3: Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination, Massachusetts Question 4: Market for Electric Utilities, Massachusetts Question 2: Require Use of Seat Belts in Motor Vehicles, Massachusetts Question 2: Methods of Levying Fees for Nonpartisan Student Organizations, Massachusetts Question 4: Increase Salaries of Government Officials, Massachusetts Question 4: Require Use of Seat Belts in Motor Vehicles, Massachusetts Question 4: Bottle and Can Regulations, Massachusetts Question 5: Creation of Three Percent Sales Tax, Massachusetts Question 6: Increase Salaries of State Legislators, Massachusetts Question 2: Increase Salaries of State Legislators, Massachusetts Question 5: Non-Profits Allowed to Conduct Games of Chance, Massachusetts Question 1: Regulation of Animal Trapping, Massachusetts Question 4: Gas Tax Increase, Massachusetts Question 5: Regulation of Foregin Banking, Massachusetts Question 3: Prohibition of Alcohol Production and Transportation, Massachusetts Question 2: Tort Liability for Voluntary Organizations, Massachusetts Question 5: District Attorney Candidates Required to be Lawyers, Massachusetts Question 3: Empower State to Censor Movies, Massachusetts Question 4: State Alcohol Prohibition, Massachusetts Question 2: Interst on Bank Savings, Laws governing the referendum process in Maryland, Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States, Click here for the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information, Fair and Secure Massachusetts campaign website, Fair and Secure Massachusetts Facebook page, Fair and Secure Massachusetts Twitter page, "WGBH", "Mass. A similar bill has already passed in that House with a veto-proof majority. [3] BOSTON - The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday joined the House in voting to override Gov. California saw a similar drop of up to 10 percent per year. In Massachusetts, bills passed by the state legislature can be put before voters through a veto referendum petition. 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. emphasis on political coverage within a state; and, Signature requirement: 1.5 percent of the gubernatorial vote for a referendum or 2 percent of the gubernatorial vote to also suspend the law, Allows for veto referendums on emergency legislation, Successful veto referendum petitions may or may not suspend the targeted law until the election depending on the number of valid signatures submitted. Supporters of the Work and Family Mobility Act have said allowing undocumented residents to obtain licenses is a common sense public safety measure to make sure more drivers are properly trained on the rules of the road. Clark Corbin has more than a decade of experience covering Idaho government and politics. Question 4 on Massachusetts' 2022 general election ballots asks voters if the state should keep or repeal its new law allowing undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses beginning next year . On June 13, 2022, Maureen Maloney and Kevin Dube filed the referendum with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance to create the Fair And Secure Massachusetts committee. When I talk about that fear, I am not talking about the fear of running off the road when it is snowing outside or the fear of hydroplaning during a thunderstorm, Gonzalez Tena told legislators. The secretary of state wrote the ballot language for this measure. Charlie Baker's veto of a bill that would allow immigrants in the country illegally to obtain state. Opponents of a new law allowing undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts to receive driver's licenses say they have collected enough signatures to put their repeal question onto November's ballot. The effort ultimately received more than enough support to make the ballot. Lawmakers backing the move say it. The bill required the second document to be a valid unexpired drivers license from any U.S. state or territory, an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a valid unexpired foreign national identification card, a valid unexpired foreign drivers license, or a marriage certificate or divorce decree issued by any state or territory of the United States. We cant keep telling them theyre essential and at the same time deny them the right to drive.. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. margin-top: 10px !important; Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com. At the time of the election, 17 statesCalifornia, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washingtonand Washington, D.C., had enacted laws authorizing the issuance of driver's licenses to immigrants who cannot provide proof of lawful or authorized presence. In Massachusetts, undocumented immigrants are eligible to apply for a driver's license. What happens when providers turn to medication first? For 2022, there was a total of 21,658 calls for service, compared to 21,593 for 2021. In this, I think we might need the wisdom of the whole body as we debate and deliberate this.. In April, several mayors testified on Beacon Hill in support of the law, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who is now the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. Debate: Question 4 would let undocumented immigrants to get a drivers license in Massachusetts. They will not be able to get a REAL ID. It's about making our roads safer, making sure that everybody has to pass a road test and vision test and get insurance and to get a license in the Commonwealth.". McMahon also argued fatal crashes have risen in states that have passed similar legislation. Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston. But Jim Lyons, chair of the state Republican Party, argues driving is a privilege, not a right. Public policy. Last week, Senate President Karen Spilka said that as a granddaughter of immigrants, she has been a long-time supporter of the Work and Family Mobility Act and is pleased to see it move forward. Thank you! 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. Shearer repeated the department's mission statement and goals before launching into the numbers for 2022. 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. Massachusetts does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. The early voting period for Massachusetts begins on Saturday. A poll of 500 registered voters conducted by Suffolk University, the Boston Globe, NBC 10 Boston, and Telemundo released on Oct. 18 showed 56.4 percent of respondents said they would vote Yes on Question 4. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. DEIJ Policy | Ethics Policy | Privacy Policy. .sbtotaltable th { Sponsors of the measure hired Antonio Molle and Sadie Webb to collect signatures for the petition to qualify this measure for the ballot. At least 16 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, allow residents to get a driver's license or permit regardless of immigration status, supporters say. Senate Committee Approves Proposal to Issue Limited Drivers Licenses to Undocumented Immigrants in Idaho. DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS The House, 120-36, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would allow people who are unable to prove lawful presence in the United States to. The overwhelming majority of bills that advance out of Idaho legislative committees are sent to the floor with recommendations the bills pass. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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