Mass — Massachusetts voters are being asked to decide if undocumented immigrants in the state should be allowed to legally obtain driver’s licenses.
The state recently passed a law opening access to driver’s licenses for all residents regardless of legal status.
Governor Charlie Baker vetoed the new law, but both houses of the legislature voted to override that veto.
A committee called Fair and Secure Massachusetts later mobilized to get a referendum on the ballot during the general elections on November 8th.
It will appear as Ballot Question 4.
A “Yes” vote would keep the law in place.
A “No” vote would repeal it.
“The first thing these people have done is come to the country illegally, and we’re giving them a driver’s license when they’re still a foreign national,” said Jay McMahon of Fair and Secure Massachusetts.
McMahon, the Republican candidate for Massachusetts Attorney General, said he questions the Registry of Motor Vehicle’s capacity to vet foreign documents.
“It’s sort of the legislature pouring onto the RMV, an agency that’s troubled anyway. They cannot do this,” said McMahon. “We cannot substitute the Registry of Motor Vehicles for the State Department of the United States.”
Supporters say 17 states that passed similar laws saw a decline in uninsured drivers and hit-and-run crashes.
That is a key reason why the measure is endorsed by over 60 law enforcement officials statewide.
“I want to know that every driver on that road has taken a vision test, a road test, has insurance, has paid into the system and is following the same rules that I am,” said Senator Brendan Crighton, a Democrat from Lynn.
Senator Crighton was a lead sponsor of the Work and Family Mobility Act, which became a new law over the summer.
To apply for a driver’s license, immigrants would have to show two documents proving their date of birth and identity. Acceptable documents include an unexpired foreign passport, a certified copy of a birth certificate or a consular identification document.
Applicants would also have to show Massachusetts residency and meet the standard licensing requirements.
Under the new law, the state is required to ensure that people who lack proof of legal residence are not automatically registered to vote under the state law that registers those seeking driver’s licenses who are of voting age.
“This has nothing do with voting, nothing to do with immigration. It just has to do with safer roads,” added Crighton. “The folks are here. There’s no alternative to driving so they’re going to get behind the wheel. We’re essentially forcing them to break the law .”
If the new law is upheld, it would go into effect beginning July 1, 2023.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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