Tobacco, What's on my ballot? 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. Massachusetts voters narrowly approved a law that allows those in the U.S. illegally to obtain a driver's license. Under the law, a person can obtain a drivers license or learners permit in Massachusetts so long as they pass a road test, meet all other qualifications, and provide proof of their identity, date of birth, and residency. -webkit-columns: 2; The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 10, and the FRE is 61. BOSTON (CBS) - The Senate passed a bill that would give immigrants without legal status a pathway to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license. "Ensuring all Massachusetts drivers meet the necessary identification, registration and testing requirements for driving just simply makes the roads safer,"Sekhavat said. 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. "People that are in the country illegally should not be rewarded for their behavior by getting a driver's license.". The campaign has until August 24, 2022, to file signatures. Visually, the restricted drivers licenses would be oriented vertically, instead of horizontally, Guthrie said. | The RMV has been issuing driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants since 2016, which allows them to drive legally and have access to other necessary services. too many, The following were the top donors who contributed to the opposition committees.Cite error: Invalid
[ tag; invalid names, e.g. However, voters will be asked to show ID in the following circumstances: The following list of accepted ID was current as of November 2022. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. @media screen and (max-width: 792px) { It received endorsements from Gov. It's high time that we let undocumented immigrants live without fear and start honoring their many contributions. Individuals classified as treaty traders are among the eligible individuals for a New Jersey driver's license.It is a temporary worker who is accompanying the spouses and children of their employer. School districts | .endorsements-header { The state has also seen a reduction in hit-and-run crashes and a steep decline in people found guilty of unlicensed driving, she said. columns: 2; Charlie Baker's formal opposition. This bill is a bad bill, Diehl said in June. Otherwise, committees usually kill a bill by voting to hold it. In 2014, Oregon voters voted to repeal SB 833, which would have made four-year driver's licenses available to those who cannot prove lawful presence. [19], 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. 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. -webkit-columns: 1; In Massachusetts, the number of signatures required to qualify a veto referendum for the ballot is equal to 1.5 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election. to the Senate floor without a recommendation attached to it. According to Yes on 4, 17 other states have enacted similar laws. The sad thing is, we want members of our community who are essential workers to be there when we need them, but were perpetuating an obstacle to their ability to drive to work legally by not passing this law, Fitzpatrick said. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. If the law is not overturned by voters, it will go into effect next July. Massachusetts is one of the first states to put repeal of the law to a vote. "The rule of law matters," Lyons said. The documents required to obtain a driver's license vary by state but range from a foreign birth certificate, foreign passport, or consular card, and evidence of current residency in the state. voters may get to decide whether to overturn undocumented immigrant driver's license law Create a . 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. 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. We have an urgent need for labor in this state. The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday voted in favor of a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses. As a son of immigrants, I can tell you the passage of this legislation would bring hope to the undocumented residents of Idaho, Montelongo told legislators. A similar bill has already passed in that House with a veto-proof majority. 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. On June 27, 2022, the referendum was cleared for signature gathering. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The measure is due for a new report from the Joint Committee on Transportation by March 4. This has nothing to do with immigration. American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. Gambling Korman added that farm workers without licenses are at higher risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19, as they often must share vehicles or ask for rides over 20- to 30-minute commutes in rural areas where bus routes are slow and infrequent. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. McMahon also argued fatal crashes have risen in states that have passed similar legislation. Examples of acceptable identification include: a driver's license, state-issued ID card, recent utility bill, rent receipt, lease, a copy of a voter registration affidavit, or any other printed identification which contains the voter's name and address. 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 bill would enable all qualified state residents to apply for a standard state driver's license, regardless of immigrant status, while keeping our Commonwealth in full compliance with REAL ID requirements. [10][11], The Massachusetts House passed legislation Wednesday that opens a pathway for some undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses in the state, a move advocates say would make roads safer for all motorists and opponents argue rewards people for entering the country illegally. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. He said despite a decline in hit-and-runs, fatal crashes are up. A valid unexpired drivers 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 valid unexpired foreign drivers license; or a marriage certificate or divorce decree issued by any state or territory of the United States. McMahon also noted issues with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and its capacity to vet foreign documents. If we already have a system in place that works, how would this be any different? Crighton asked. State and local courts | (WWLP) - Question 4 asks voters whether they want to uphold or overturn a new state law expanding eligibility for driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.. 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. Its about making our roads safer, making sure that everybody has to pass a road test and vision test to get a license in the Commonwealth.. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. Alexi Cohan is a producer on Greater Boston. 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. As the state Senate considered the bill this past spring, a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll found 47 percent of residents surveyed were opposed to the legislation and nearly as many or 46 percent were in favor of it. 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. 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. Click here for the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information. On September 7, 2022, nearly 80,000 of the 100,000 signatures filed with local clerks were verified and submitted to the secretary of state. Driving is not a luxury, Roman said. I know it is a unique motion. But Trackels motion failed on a tie vote. Voters in Massachusetts may be asked whether to repeal state law granting standard Massachusetts driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants in November. Ballotpedia lists the positions of and excerpts from editorials supporting or opposing ballot measures from the editorial boards of certain media outlets. 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]. "[1], The proposed law prohibited registrars from inquiring about an applicants citizenship or immigration status when applying for a driver's license or motor vehicle registration. Charlie Baker's veto of its passage. Can Undocumented Immigrants Get A Driver's License In Massachusetts. How to vote | 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. width: 50%; Massachusetts also requires other organizations that spend money to support or oppose ballot measures to report amounts to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Like driver safety, it impacts all of us, she said. Charlie Baker previously expressing opposition. U.S. Congress | Defenders of the law have coalesced into the Yes on 4 For Safer Roads campaign in the build-up to the Nov. 8 election. } too many, The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in opposition to the measure.Cite error: Invalid ][ tag; invalid names, e.g. To register to vote in Massachusetts, you must be a resident of the state. The full text of House Bill 4805, which the veto referendum would have overturned, is below:[1]. .sbtotaltable td { Massachusetts voters will decide this November whether to overturn a new law that makes undocumented immigrants eligible for driver's licenses. color:white !important; Last month, the states Elections Division certified 71,883 signatures collected to get the question on the ballot well above the 40,120 signatures required. Who was behind the campaigns in favor of a 'yes' or 'no' vote? V oters will decide on four ballot questions in the 2022 Massachusetts elections on Nov. 8. 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.. Undocumented immgrants can get a driver's license in the following states: California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Hawaii Illinois Maryland Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York Oregon Utah margin-top: 0 !important; His reporting in Idaho has helped uncover a multimillion-dollar investment scam and exposed inaccurate data that school districts submitted to the state. Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes, president of the Major City Chiefs of Police Association, said last year that the bill would promote trust between law enforcement and all the communities we serve and protect, according to GBH. At least 16 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, allow residents to get a driver's license or permit regardless of immigration status, supporters say. Counties | Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston. The effort ultimately received more than enough support to make the ballot. "This makes our roads safer by requiring that everybody follow the same set of rules," Crighton said. In order for our states police officers to best do their jobs and remain safe while doing so, they need to be able to identify whos behind the wheel, he added. Voters will weigh in on the question during the general elections on Nov. 8. 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. 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. Eagleson, who noted that licensed drivers are safer drivers, called decisions to limit time on the road heartbreaking, as they impact not only personal health but public health. 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. Summary of Proposed Changes to the AEWR Methodology and the Changes Adopted in This Final Rule Massachusetts Gov. 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. .ballot-measure-endorsements td { width: 35% !important;} Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Ron DeSantis. A total of $3,350.00 was spent to collect the 40,120 valid signatures required to put this measure before voters, resulting in a total cost per required signature (CPRS) of $0.08. All rights reserved, Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter, MA Senate GOP Leader Will Press For Driver Privilege Cards' for Immigrants, Mass. 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. Hit-And-Runs, fatal crashes are up x27 ; s formal opposition by to! Rewarded for their behavior by getting a driver & # x27 ; s license in Massachusetts that... 2 ; Charlie Baker & # x27 ; s license law Create a account one... For style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site the Joint on. Passed similar legislation local stories in your inbox with Axios Boston has already passed in that House a. 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