MA Election Reform Package

On Thursday, the Massachusetts House followed the Senate’s Lead, and Voted to Pass an Election Reform Package. Now it needs to be signed by the Governor to become Law.

The VOTES Act is set to expand Voting options in the Commonwealth. Made popular by the Pandemic, No-Excuse Mail-in-Voting will become a Permanent Option. This helped produce a record Turn-Out of Voters in 2020. The No-Excuse Mail-in-voting and Early Voting Permanent for Federal and State Elections, as was the case during emergency Covid-19 Provisions.

"Voting by mail and in-person early voting made it easier and safer for people to vote during the pandemic and should continue to improve turnout in our elections," Patricia Comfort, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, said in a Statement. "The League applauds the legislature for making these reforms permanent, and we encourage legislators to continue to improve access to the ballot box by taking up same-day voter registration in the next session."

Democratic Leaders pushed for Same-Day Voter Registration, but that did Not make it into the Compromise, put out by the Conference Committee. The Package does however Shorten the time which Voters can Register before an Election, from the current 20 days to just 10.

Representative Lindsay Sabadosa (D-1st District) said, “Voting is a really important thing, it’s probably the most important thing we do as citizens of this country. So, anything we can do to facilitate that and make it easier for folks to get to the polls or to turn in their ballot by mail, I think is an important step.”

There were also multiple Jail-based Voting Reforms in the package. The VOTES Act will ensure Incarcerated Individuals who are Eligible to Vote can do so, and it requires Facilities to Distribute Voter Education Information provided by the Secretary of State.

A Framework for Early Voting was also part of the Bill, with Two weeks of In-Person Voting before Biennial State Elections, and One week ahead of Presidential or State Primaries.

Correctional facilities will be Required to assist Residents who are Eligible to Vote with Registering and Voting by Mail.

The Bill will also Require the State to join the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), and State Agencies will allow for Automatic Voter Registration up to Ten days prior to the Election.

"We must ensure that our democracy is modern, accessible, and equitable," Brookline Rep. Tommy Vitolo (D-15th District) said in a Statement. "I fought to make this bill the most expansive and inclusive voting rights law in Massachusetts history, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen our election laws in future sessions. I am grateful to my colleagues and Chair Ryan for their work on this legislation."

The Bill also expands Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities and Bilingual Voters. Early Voting Locations must be Accessible, Centrally located, Suitable, and Convenient.

Bilingual Ballots will be delivered to City and Town Clerks for Voters with limited English Proficiency, and the Secretary of State must make the Online Voter Portal accessible in: Chinese, English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

The Driver's License Bill, will need over 40k Signatures to be on Ballot.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker