The Massachusetts State Senate recently unanimously passed legislation to expand voter access and address safety for all remaining 2020 elections, including the Sept. 1 state primary and Nov. 3 general election, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill, An Act relative to voting options in response to COVID-19, would for the first time in state history, give all eligible residents the opportunity to vote early for the state primary and general election, allow residents to vote-by-mail, and expand absentee ballot access.
“The public deserves access to free, fair, and safe elections,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor, R-Weymouth. “The bi-partisan legislation we passed today implements the checks and balances needed in order to expand access so voters may cast their ballots in a manner that they are comfortable with.”
The bill does the following:
• Implements an early vote-by-mail system: An application to receive an early voting ballot will be mailed to all registered voters by July 15. The secretary will then mail another application for the general election in the voter booklet sent out in the fall. Both applications and ballots will be postage paid.
• Creates early voting for the primary and expands early voting periods: For the first time in Massachusetts, early voting will be available for the state primary, to take place from Aug. 22-28. Early voting for the general election would take place from Oct. 17-30. Early voting hours would vary according to the size of the municipality in order to give voters ample opportunity to participate while not overburdening small towns’ election departments. Voters may return their early voting ballot in the mail, in a secure drop box, or in person.
• Tasks the Secretary of State with creating an online portal: The bill requires Secretary William Francis Galvin’s office to create an online portal by Oct. 1 to make it as easy as possible for people to apply for general election early voting ballots electronically.
• Expands absentee voting: The bill provides for absentee voting by any person taking precautions related to COVID-19. Voters may also return absentee ballots via a secure drop box.
• Provides tools to assist clerks: Acknowledging the increased burden these options may place on municipalities and clerks, the bill also provides for several accommodations to make the logistics of processing votes easier. The legislation allows for tabulating ballots prior to election day, and it offers pre-addressed envelopes to voters, so their applications go directly to their clerk’s office.
• Makes in-person voting more efficient: The bill allows municipalities to consolidate polling places and eliminate the check-out table at these locations, allowing for a more efficient process and fewer poll workers. It also expands who is eligible to serve as a poll worker, knowing that many current volunteers are seniors who may feel less comfortable working in public during COVID-19.
The legislation must now be reconciled with the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
O’Connor represents the Plymouth and Norfolk district, which includes the towns of Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate and Weymouth. O’Connor and his staff may be reached at the State House at 617-722-1646 or by email at Patrick.O’[email protected].
Original Source: https://hingham.wickedlocal.com/news/20200624/strongsenate-unanimously-passes-comprehensive-elections-billstrong
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