We have some proposals that would address them, even as baseless as they are.. In what was a marathon session, the Minnesota Senate approved the Driver's Licenses for All act at 2 a.m. Feb. 22. Sec. Here is what you need to know about Question 4, regarding eligibility for driver's licenses. All Massachusetts families need peace of mind knowing that the drivers on our highways and city streets have passed the same driving test and know the rules of our roads., Jeneczka Roman, advocacy and coalition manager at the Massachusetts Public Health Association, described the bill as a key tool for a healthier and more just commonwealth.. Driscoll cited three main reasons for her support of the law: moral considerations, economic effects, and public safety. Charlie Baker's formal opposition. A form of identification is required to register. 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. Yes on 4 led the campaign in support of a 'yes' vote on Question 4. 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. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. Crighton said residents should vote "yes" in the interest of safety. Charlie Baker's veto of its passage. .split-cols-bm { Ballotpedia lists the positions of and excerpts from editorials supporting or opposing ballot measures from the editorial boards of certain media outlets. 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. Guthrie said drivers licenses are a basic necessity and would give all Idahoans 16 and older the opportunity to drive legally. Ballotpedia identified the following media editorial boards as taking positions on the referendum. Shortly after lawmakers overrode the governors veto, a state Republican Party committee member with backing from GOP gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl and the state party Chairman Jim Lyons filed paperwork to start the ballot question process to repeal the law. 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. [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. Charlie Baker on the legislation.. 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. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Gov. Elections in 2023 | He said 17 other states have implemented similar laws and hit-and-run accidents have decreased significantly. McMahon cast doubt on the RMVs ability to handle differentiating between citizens and non-citizens. Evening Report - Tue., Feb 28, 2023 - More Ed Savings Account Proposals / Restricted Drivers Licenses for Undocumented in Idaho - KRFP, Radio Free Moscow [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]. Several health care providers and advocates said the move would also help address longstanding logistical challenges and inequities faced by the states essential workers and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Massachusetts is one of the first states to put repeal of the law to a vote. 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. 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.. Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. battersea power station webcam; maine real estate transfer tax exemptions McMahon also noted issues with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and its capacity to vet foreign documents. It also bars officials at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about, or creating a record of, an applicants citizenship or immigration status, and enables those without proof of lawful presence, including residents ineligible for social security numbers, to be eligible for a license if they meet all other qualifications for licensure and provide satisfactory proof to the registrar of identity, date of birth and Massachusetts residency.. [24], To vote in Massachusetts, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of Massachusetts, and at least 18 years old on or before Election Day. For 2022, there was a total of 21,658 calls for service, compared to 21,593 for 2021. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. The registrar of motor vehicles cannot ask or create a record of the citizenship or immigration status of the applicant, and applications cannot be used to obtain the federally-recognized Real ID. States issuing driver's licenses to immigrants who cannot provide proof of lawful presence. By Samantha J. Constitutional rights "People that are in the country illegally should not be rewarded for their behavior by getting a driver's license.". 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. .sbtotaltotal { -moz-columns: 1; 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. Support local journalism by becoming a member. But this bill should be signed His (Bakers) concerns are baseless. Having access to a drivers license allows people to better access work and school. The committee reported $3.6 million in contributions. The overwhelming majority of bills that advance out of Idaho legislative committees are sent to the floor with recommendations the bills pass. The Massachusetts general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 8. The new restricted licenses would not be accepted to purchase firearms, vote or board commercial airline flights. Ron DeSantis. "[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. CHICOPEE, Mass. Applicants under the bill would need to provide proof of their identity, date of birth and residency in Massachusetts. Gambling Clark Corbin has more than a decade of experience covering Idaho government and politics. "The rule of law matters," Lyons said. Massachusetts has implemented an online voter registration system. If the petitioners submit a written request for the suspension of the targeted law prior to the referendum election, signatures equal to 2 percent of the total votes last cast for governor are required to both suspend the law and force an election. To apply for a license, someone without legal presence would need to provide the Registry of Motor Vehicles with a foreign passport or a consular identification document as well as at least one. If a petition seeks to suspend the targeted law and reaches the 2 percent threshold, the targeted law is suspended until the next general election, at which voters decide whether to approve the bill or reject it. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com. Immigrants can get a license in the United States in most states, but it depends on the state they live in and their immigration status. Voters in Massachusetts may be asked whether to repeal state law granting standard Massachusetts driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants in November. }, The following is the argument in support of Question 4 found in the Official Voter Information Guide:[7], Fair and Secure Massachusetts led the campaign in support of a 'no' vote on Question 4. 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. The secretary of state wrote the ballot language for this measure. If it becomes law, Massachusetts would join Washington, D.C., and 16 states, including neighboring New York and Connecticut, with similar laws, which have been considered in Massachusetts for nearly two decades a period thats seen significant updates in standards for identification required for licenses. Jay McMahon, of Fair and Secure Massachusetts, and Sen. Brendan Crighton, of Safer Roads Massachusetts, debated the measure on Greater Boston. Who was behind the campaigns in favor of a 'yes' or 'no' vote? 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In Massachusetts, undocumented immigrants are eligible to apply for a 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. They do not support issuing the drivers license to those that are in our country illegally, Lavey said. Thank you! 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. To apply for a drivers license, immigrants will have to show two documents proving their date of birth and identity, like an unexpired foreign passport, consular identification document or certified copy of a birth certificate. One committee was registered in support of a 'no' vote on Question 4: Fair and Secure Massachusetts. State executives | Fausto Menard Twitter Producer, All Things ConsideredFausto Menard is a producer for WBUR's All Things Considered. For that reason, some law enforcement leaders have backed the measure, including the Massachusetts Major Cities Chiefs of Police Association. . But opponents have argued granting immigrants without legal status state-recognized identification would open the door for voter fraud in elections and would place too high a burden on the Registry of Motor Vehicles to verify foreign documents. [12] H 4805 prohibited registrars from inquiring about an applicants citizenship or immigration status when applying for driver's licenses and motor vehicle registrations. [10][11],

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. 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. Read Idaho Gov. The restricted license would cost $50 and be valid for two years. }, The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the measure.Cite error: Invalid tag; invalid names, e.g. Senate to Debate Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants This Week, Even After Investigation, Stoneham Cop Hasn't Paid Dime of Rent to New Landlord, Tracking the Next Hit of Wintry Weather Headed to New England, Due Late Week, Rescuers Capture Bald Eagle Believed to Be Critically Sickened by Rat Poison, Power Lines Crash Onto Cars, Trucks for Blocks in Stoneham. Retired Meridian Police Chief Jeff Lavey told the Senate Transportation Committee that members of the Idaho Sheriffs Association voted unanimously to oppose the bill to create a restricted drivers license. 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. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. But Trackels motion failed on a tie vote. Any other government document displaying the voter's name and address. Idaho Farm Bureau Federation members, Idaho Farm Bureau Insurance Company and the Professional Firefighters of Idaho also came out in support of the bill, while the Idaho Sheriffs Association and Idaho Freedom Foundation spoke in opposition to it. To prove identity and date of birth, the law requires an applicant to present at least two documents, one from each of the following categories: (1) a valid unexpired foreign passport or a valid unexpired Consular Identification document; and (2) 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. Everyone should have the right to access a drivers license regardless of documentation status., PODER of Idaho gathers 8,000 signatures for a petition in support of license bill. Under the law, called the Work and Family Mobility Act, those who entered the country illegally will be able to apply for a drivers license with certain documents, like a foreign passport or consular identification paperwork. All rights reserved, Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter, MA Senate GOP Leader Will Press For Driver Privilege Cards' for Immigrants, Mass. Massachusetts requires a two-thirds majority in the General Court to override a veto. The campaign has until August 24, 2022, to file signatures. She is from East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and currently lives in the Boston area. II. The law was designed to take effect on July 1, 2023. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, undocumented immigrants can get a driver's license in 18 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. } Senate to Debate Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants This Week, Even After Investigation, Stoneham Cop Hasn't Paid Dime of Rent to New Landlord, Tracking the Next Hit of Wintry Weather Headed to New England, Due Late Week, Rescuers Capture Bald Eagle Believed to Be Critically Sickened by Rat Poison, Power Lines Crash Onto Cars, Trucks for Blocks in Stoneham. Under current legislation, undocumented immigrants are not allowed to have a license in Massachusetts. The Elections and Voting page, run by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online. The new law will extend driving privileges to an estimated 45,000-85,000 people over the next three years, according to MassBudget. Jay McMahon is urging voters to reject the ballot question and vote "no." Counties | Massachusetts Gov. Only about 7 percent of those polled were unsure of how they felt about the law. See20 CFR 655.120(b)(4). "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 A voter can register online, by mail, or in person at any registration office or the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Firearms Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. | Massachusetts voters narrowly approved a law that allows those in the U.S. illegally to obtain a driver's license. They cant even suspend licenses from people when theyre supposed to, he said. .ballot-measure-endorsements ul { Apply today! Its a critical tool of mobility in Massachusetts. Diehl also partnered with Maureen Maloney, who chairs a committee formed earlier this year called, Fair And Secure Massachusetts. The group is now urging voters to vote No on Question 4 this November. No more than one-quarter of the certified signatures on initiative or referendum petitions may come from any one county. The committee reported over $217,135 in contributions. The Secretary of State's office has. Standing alongside her is Roxana Rivera, vice president of 32BJ SEIU, who led the push for the law with Reason. 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. .sbtotaltable td { The new law will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a standard state driver's license beginning July 1, 2023. Another 39.2 percent said they would vote against the law, while 4.2 percent remained undecided. "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. 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. State and local courts | The Idaho Legislatures Senate Transportation Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill that would create a restricted drivers license available to all people 16 and older residing in Idaho, regardless of their immigration status. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Would need to provide proof of their identity, date of birth and residency in.... Fausto Menard Twitter Producer, all Things Considered East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and currently lives in the U.S. to! 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