| New legislation aims to provide voter registration opportunities during routine City interactions |
| Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined City Councilor Josh Zakim and city officials to sign an ordinance increasing access to voter registration. The new legislation aims to provide more opportunities for residents to submit voter registration forms when routinely interacting with City departments and agencies such as the Boston Public Library, the Boston Transportation Department, Boston Public Schools, and the Boston Centers for Youth & Families. The ordinance passed the Boston City Council unanimously earlier this month.
“Voting is an important right and pillar of our democracy,” said Mayor Walsh. “Boston is leading the way on reducing barriers to voter registration that disproportionately impact some communities over others. From signing up for a residential parking sticker to enrolling a child in Boston Public Schools, we will provide new opportunities to residents to complete this important step in getting their voice heard in Boston, in the Commonwealth, and in this country.”
“I’m thrilled that Mayor Walsh agrees with me on the importance of reducing barriers to voter registration, and that the city is doing all that we can to encourage more people to register and to vote,” said City Councilor Josh Zakim. “Soon, it will be much easier for all eligible Bostonians to have their voices heard by exercising one of their most sacred civil rights — the right to vote.”
The Boston Public Library and the Boston Center for Youth & Families will ensure that voter registration forms are available in easy to access locations at all branches and centers. When applying for a library card, residents will also receive a voter registration form.
All Boston Public Schools Welcome Centers and high schools will provide pre-registration information and forms to all students eligible to pre-register to vote and will also be provided to parents or legal guardians when registering children for school. Boston Public Schools will also develop a policy to ensure that as many eligible students as possible have the opportunity to vote on Election Day.
The Boston Transportation Department will provide registration materials to individuals applying for or renewing resident parking permits.
City departments and agencies will deliver any completed voter registration forms to the Boston’s Elections Department to be added to the voter registration system.
For more information on voting and elections in the city of Boston, please visit the City of Boston’s Elections Department. |
