Did you know Massachusetts has a voter’s Bill of Rights?
Massachusetts Voters’ Bill of Rights
In 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. However 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. We want to continue to focus on the central player in our democracy – the voter.”
State laws around voter registration drives are changing, but you don’t need to navigate them alone. When starting out with any voter registration event, these voter registration drive guides (in collaboration with Nonprofit VOTE and Fair Elections Center) are the first resource we recommend going to.
Democracy is not a spectator sport!
We have a chance to cast our ballots in 2025. Be sure to make your calendars for the next Town Meeting and Election in your hometown. Here are the dates in the 3rd Legislative District of the Commonwealth.
See Our Chapter President’s Letter to the Editor on the Importance of Local Elections
Dear Editor
LWV Central Berkshire County is gearing up for local elections in the spring. Our chapter has compiled a Local Elections Schedule for your convenience:
Find your town and be sure you are registered to vote, so that you can participate in both Town Meeting and your town’s election. Local elections are held on different days; most occur in May. Be sure to check!
We encourage you to look to see what positions are open. There is a need for more volunteers to serve in these critical roles that keep our communities strong. We encourage you to consider running for a seat.
LWV CBC will be hosting candidate forums where voters can meet the people running for office. You can help us cover the many towns we serve
In South and Central Berkshire County by notifying us of any contested races and open seats where a forum would be useful. You may contact us through email at lwvcentralberkshires@gmail.com
A good case for continued respect and consideration of others from Carole Owens.
Our hard-working chapter of the League focuses on the critical areas of:
-civics education for middle and high schoolers
-registration and voting
-providing information on local, state, and national elections.
Every time we support the citizenship induction ceremony hosted by the Berkshire Immigrant Center or engage with our local educators, we renew our enthusiasm to promote voting as a right and responsibility of citizenship.
Where do you vote? How do you vote? What do you need to know about candidates and ballot
initiatives? Our chapter hosts meetings on the ballot initiatives, collaborates on voter registration and information events with the NAACP, and communicates with the wider public via local newspapers, social media and local cable TV.
At the national and state level the League lobbies for legislation that protects voter
rights….an issue that becomes more important every day. The League’s voter website (Vote411), provides information on statewide and national candidates for election.
Your membership dues support local, state, and national efforts and your volunteer efforts
All politics are local! Be sure to participate in your town meeting and town election....and consider running for office. Here's information on upcoming opportunities to get involved in most of the communities in Central Berkshire County
Voter Info All politics are local! Participate in your local town meeting and elections. And consider running for office. Town Meeting DateElection DateFiling Dates for CandidatesOpen PositionsAlford – Contact: Peggy Hendon Wilson 528-4536 x 103May 12May 292/23-4/7Select BoardAssessorFinance Com 2...
Why Join? As a member of the League of Women Voters, you belong to a network, organized on the national, state and local levels, which is committed to making democracy […]
