HB 176 (2004): relative to listing candidates on ballots and relative to instructions to voters.

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“HB 176 (2004): relative to listing candidates on ballots and relative to instructions to voters.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2004/hb176. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. (n.d.). HB 176 (2004): relative to listing candidates on ballots and relative to instructions to voters. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2004/hb176
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Granite Record. “HB 176 (2004): relative to listing candidates on ballots and relative to instructions to voters.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2004/hb176.
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@misc{bill-2004-hb176, title = {HB 176 (2004): relative to listing candidates on ballots and relative to instructions to voters.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2004/hb176}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

HB 176 (2004)

relative to listing candidates on ballots and relative to instructions to voters.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 2003-2004
  • House committee: Election Law
  • Senate committee: Internal Affairs
  • Subject: Elections
  • Chapter law: 201

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2003 and referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 21, 2003. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held work sessions on June 4, 2003 and September 24, 2003. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it by a vote of 11–4, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on January 7, 2004. On January 7, 2004 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 17, 2004 and was referred to the Senate Internal Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 14, 2004. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 1221). The committee's amendment (1221) was adopted on a voice vote on April 22, 2004, changing the text of the bill. On April 22, 2004 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 15–6 and ordered it to a third reading. On April 22, 2004 the Senate voted to pass it. On May 6, 2004 the House voted to reject the other chamber's changes. On May 6, 2004 the Senate adopted “Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference”, on a motion by Sen. Boyce. A committee of conference met on May 18, 2004 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On May 25, 2004 the Senate adopted “Conference Committee Report” on a voice vote. On May 25, 2004 the House adopted “Conf Comm Report” on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on May 25, 2004 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 11, 2004, making it Chapter 201 of the session laws. It took effect on June 11, 2004.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • January 21, 2003, 12:00 PM: hearing, House Election Law, RM308,LOB
  • September 24, 2003, 11:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Election Law, RM308,LOB <Rep Cady>
  • April 14, 2004, 10:15 AM: hearing, Senate Internal Affairs, LOB 103
  • May 18, 2004, 11:00 AM: committee of conference, RM308,LOB

Votes

  • January 7, 2004, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
  • January 7, 2004, House: REP DENSMORE: PRINT DEBATE — yeas 143, nays 207, failed
  • April 22, 2004, Senate: Adoption of the bill as amended Sen. Below/ Sen. Larsen — yeas 15, nays 6, passed
  • May 25, 2004, Senate: Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
  • May 25, 2004, House: Conf Comm Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 9, 2003: Introduced and ref to Elec Law; HJ8, p109
  • January 9, 2003: Copy to Chairman on 1/14/2003
  • January 21, 2003: Hearing Jan 21 noon RM308,LOB
  • March 18, 2003: Retained in Committee
  • June 4, 2003: Subcom Work Sessions June 4 & 10 10:00 RM308,LOB <Rep Cady>
  • September 24, 2003: Subcom Work Session Sept 24 11:30 RM308,LOB <Rep Cady>
  • November 19, 2003: Maj Report OTP for Jan 7, 2004 Session (vote 11-4;CC)
  • January 7, 2004: Removed from Cons Cal, req Rep Burling
  • January 7, 2004: Passed VV
  • March 17, 2004: Introduced and Referred to Internal Affairs
  • April 14, 2004: Hearing; April 14, 2004, Room 103, LOB, 10:15 a.m.; SC15
  • April 14, 2004: Committee Report; Ought to Pass with Amendment{1221},(New Title), [04/22/04]; SC16, Pg.8-9
  • April 22, 2004: Committee Amendment{1221},(New Title), AA, VV
  • April 22, 2004: Ought to Pass as Amended{1221},(New Title) RC 15Y-6N, MA; OT3rdg
  • April 22, 2004: Passed by 3rd Reading Resolution
  • May 6, 2004: House Nonconc with Sen Am req Conf Comm, Rep Whalley MA
  • May 6, 2004: (Speaker appts Reps: Drisko, Whalley, Reeves & Dorsett)
  • May 6, 2004: Senator Boyce Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference; Adopted
  • May 6, 2004: President Appoints; Senators Boyce, Flanders, Kenney
  • May 18, 2004: Conf Comm Meeting May 18 11:00 RM308,LOB
  • May 19, 2004: Conference Committee Report; Sen. Am{1616}, Filed
  • May 25, 2004: Conference Committee Report{1616}, Adopted, VV
  • May 25, 2004: Conf Comm Report Adopted VV
  • May 25, 2004: Enrolled
  • May 25, 2004: Enrolled <6/4/04>
  • June 11, 2004: Signed by the Governor on 6/11/2004 Eff: 6/11/2004* Chap: 0201
  • June 11, 2004: *Multiple Effective Dates, Secs 1-3 eff. 1/1/2005

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court