Undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts are rejoicing after voters approved Question 4 on the ballot. "

According to the Associated Press, Massachusetts 53.8 % and 46.2 % voted no – after 95 % on Question 4 of the statewide poll, endorsing a law passed earlier this year that allows immigrants without legal US status to receive driver's licenses.

Opponents have posed the question of whether people want to keep or repeal the new law, gathering thousands of signatures for this autumn's vote.

Fair and Secure Massachusetts, the group leading the repeal effort, argued that the law would encourage more illegal immigration. Many critics of the law have also raised concerns that it could lead to voter fraud – a claim that Secretary of State Bill Galvin has often disputed.

Supporters of the law argued that roads are safer for everyone when more drivers are properly educated and fully insured. They pointed to data showing hit-and-run accidents dropped in California and Connecticut after lawmakers passed similar measures.

The Work and Family Mobility Act will go into effect in July 2023. Organizers estimate that thousands of newly qualified drivers will be able to apply for licenses in the following months.

Massachusetts joins 16 other states and Washington, DC, in adopting this type of law. The Pew Research Center estimates that there are about 250,000 undocumented immigrants living in Massachusetts.

Those who cannot verify citizenship or immigration status will have to provide proof of their identity and show Massachusetts residency.

“This is a big win for all the immigrants,” said Tony Portillo, who voted ‘yes’ on Question 4. “They can’t even believe that this is real.”

Read More about this topic at https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/10/07/massachusetts-ballot-question-4-immigration-driver-licenses