The proposed law would provide a system of voter registration by mail applicable to all qualified voters and would eliminate statutory provisions permitting certain persons to vote only for presidential electors.

Under this proposed law, the State Secretary would be required to prepare blank forms for affidavits of registration, The Secretary and local boards of registrars would be required to make such forms available to any person eligible to vote in whatever quantity the person requests and to transmit such forms, upon written request, to any person claiming to be qualified to vote, Registrars would also be required to make these forms available at all post offices and at other places within their municipalities, The Secretary would be required to establish a reasonable fee for providing more than 50 forms and to prepare instructions to accompany the forms.

A person seeking to register to vote would be required to complete the affidavit of registration and sign it under oath in the presence of a witness who is at least eighteen years old, The witness would be required to certify that the affidavit was signed in his presence and to date the affidavit.

A completed affidavit of registration could be either delivered or mailed to the appropriate registrar's office, If, from the facts set forth in the affidavit, it appears that the person is qualified to vote, the registrars would be required to add the person's name to the list of registered voters and to so notify the person by first-class, non-forwardable mail, unless the person's name already appears on the local list of residents at the same address, The cost of mailing such notices would be assumed by the Commonwealth, subject to appropriation, If in any year the General Court fails to appropriate funds for that purpose, such notices would not have to be sent, If such a notice is returned undelivered, the city or town clerk would be required to instruct election officials to challenge the person's right to vote at the next election in which he attempts to vote.

The proposed law would also impose criminal penalties of imprisonment for up to two years or a fine up to $2,000 for knowingly or willfully making a false affidavit, taking a false oath, or signing a false certificate relative to the qualifications or registration of any person to vote.