License Law Celebrated, Questioned

More than 128,000 newly-licensed drivers were on Massachusetts roads in the last year, and officials linked the surge to the one-year anniversary of a law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain licenses.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles said Monday it has issued 183,825 new learner’s permits and 128,079 new driver’s licenses since the so-called Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA) took effect July 1, 2023.

The RMV said that represents a 161 percent increase in new learner's permits and 132 percent increase in new driver's licenses compared to the same time period from 2022 to 2023. The volume of new licenses includes 54,238 out-of-state license conversions.

"As we mark the anniversary, we celebrate positive results and hope to reach even more individuals that are eligible for a driver's license in Massachusetts, (and) to make sure sure that they know how to start the journey and complete the journey," Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie said during a press conference outside the State House on Monday afternoon, which featured translation of all English remarks into Spanish and Portuguese.

"Work and Family Mobility has been life-changing for so many residents to take children to the doctors, to visit family members, to do their grocery shopping and visit friends," Ogilvie continued. "It's been such an important part of their communities, and we are so thankful for the successful implementation."

But, predictably, not all were cheering. Tuesday, the day after the announcement,  State Senator Peter Durant (R-Spencer) urged Secretary of State William Galvin to release data on voter registration since the implementation of licenses for non-residents was implemented.

“We need to ensure the integrity of our elections. I am concerned about non-residents being able to register to vote in Massachusetts,” said Durant. “I have seen firsthand the voter registration issues happening at the Registry. My wife went in to change her name. She declined the button asking her to register to vote. We found out months later the RMV registered her anyway, so she was on the voters list twice. Hence, I have deep concerns that nonresidents are being allowed to register to vote.”

Last year Durant sent a public records request to Galvin which was denied. He requested the following information:

1. How many people registered to vote in the Commonwealth between 7.1.23 and 7.31.23? These would be newly registered voters.

2. How many people registered to vote in the Commonwealth between 7.1.23 and 7.31.23 at the Registry of Motor Vehicles?

3. How many people registered to vote in the Commonwealth between 7.1.22 and 7.31.22?

4. How many people registered to vote in the Commonwealth between 7.1.21 and 7.31.21?

Durant is now seeking answers to the following questions:

1. How many people registered to vote in the Commonwealth between 7.1.23 and 7.1.24?

2. With 1100 people leaving the Commonwealth each week, how many people have been removed from the voter list from 7.1.23 to 7.1.24?

3. How many people registered to vote in the Commonwealth between 7.1.22 and 7.1.23?

4. How many people registered to vote in the Commonwealth between 7.1.21 and 7.1.22?

“These numbers will help to determine whether or not non-residents are registering to vote. I would ask the Registry for the information, but the Healey administration has been less than forthcoming with data. However, I will point out that they were able to provide the numbers yesterday on the increase in licenses,” said Durant.