relative to proof of United States citizenship for indigent voters.
HB 365 creates a process for voters without proof of U.S. citizenship to verify their status and access assistance. It requires election officials to check state/federal databases for citizenship verification (except on election day if it disrupts voting), and for indigent voters who cannot afford a birth certificate, it provides vouchers to cover the cost. Local municipalities receive reimbursement from the Secretary of State for voucher expenses, with $25,000 appropriated annually for fiscal years 2026-2027. The bill directly affects low-income voters unable to obtain citizenship documentation, removing a financial barrier to voting. It does not change citizenship requirements but establishes a concrete pathway for verification and assistance.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 8, 2025
Signed May 19, 2026
Floor votes · House Jan 8, 2026
How they voted
102–86
Passed · 35 other
Total votes 223
Jan 8, 2026
D
Democratic107
80% Nay
I
Independent2
100% Yea
R
Republican114
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
30
Key actions
15
Committee
14
Amendments
2
May 19, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/18/2026; Chapter 68; eff.07/17/2026
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced
Sen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2026-1407s, AF, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026, Vote 5-2; SC 13
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/05/2026; Vote 3-2; CC; SC 8
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 2
upper
Jan 8, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (102-86-35)
house
Jan 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2994h: MA RC 195-142 01/08/2026 HJ 2 P. 2
lower
Jan 8, 2026
Introduced
Amendment # 2025-2994h: AA VV 01/08/2026 HJ 2 P. 2
lower
Nov 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
lower
Nov 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2994h 10/30/2025 (Vote 16-9; RC) HC 51 P. 35
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Retained in Committee
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA DV 200-169 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 69
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to Finance 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 69
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/04/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 02/21/2025 09:30 am LOB 302-304
lower
Feb 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 02/14/2025 09:30 am LOB 306-308
lower
Jan 8, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 2 P. 16
lower
0 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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