The bill amends Section 17-1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-1, which pertains to voting eligibility. It establishes that every citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen years old and meets residency and registration requirements is entitled to vote in elections. Additionally, it allows individuals who are not yet eighteen but will be by the time of a general election to participate in primary elections. A significant change introduced in this bill is the provision that permits cities or towns with elected school committees to allow citizens as young as sixteen years old to register and vote in school committee elections, provided they meet the residency requirement of being a resident of the state for at least thirty days and register at least thirty days before the election. This act will take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
517: 17-1-3