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Massachusetts Voter Identification Initiative (2012)
| Not on Ballot |
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| This measure was not put on an election ballot |
The Massachusetts Voter Identification Initiative did not make the November 6, 2012 general election ballot in the state of Massachusetts as an initiated state statute. The measure was filed by Olivier Kozlowski, and was assigned initiative number 11-21 (dead link). The proposal was described as a "petition for an act relative to the presentation of identification to vote."[1]
Support
The following is information obtained from the supporting side of the initiative.
- Olivier Kozlowski, who filed the initiative, stated: "In this day and age we're asked to provide identification for anything and everything. Something as sacred as our ballot ought to make sure the person claiming to be John Doe is John Doe."
- Kozlowski, a Mansfield selectman, also stated: “People tell me they’ve been wondering for years why we don’t do it."[2]
- State Representative Fred Barrows stated support for the measure. Barrows stated about the measure: “Nobody likes change. We’ve been doing it this way forever but I don’t think this would be outrageous."[2]
Opposition
The following is information obtained from the opposing side of the initiative.
- According to Eva Valentine, president of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts: "The real issue isn't fraud; it's getting people to the polls to vote."[3]
Path to the ballot
Each of the ten original signers of the proposed measure must have obtained certificates of voter registration from the board of registrars or election commission in the city or town where they were registered voters. The certificate of voter registration must be signed by at least three registrars. These certificates and the original petition must then be submitted to the Massachusetts Attorney General.
Usually, if the petition is found acceptable, the Attorney General will prepare a summary and return it and the petition to the petitioners, who must file the petition and summary with the Massachusetts Secretary of State. Once that is submitted, petitions are printed and circulation can begin. However, the measure was not found acceptable by the attorney general, and therefore did not begin circulation for the ballot. The Attorney General stated that the measure infringed on freedom of elections.[1]
See also
- Massachusetts 2012 ballot measures
- 2012 ballot measures
- List of Massachusetts ballot measures
- Laws governing the initiative process in Massachusetts
Footnotes
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