House Passes Historic Voting Rights Bill

FRAMINGHAM– Representatives Jack Patrick Lewis, Maria Robinson, and Carmine Gentile joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing H.4359, An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity, and security (VOTES Act) by a vote of 124-34. To encourage civic participation, this bill enhances and expands a number of voting reforms ultimately removing barriers and strengthening security. The legislation establishes permanent vote by mail and early voting, strengthens jail-based voting, amends automatic voter registration, and enrolls the Commonwealth in Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC).

“With access to the ballot box under attack across our country, I am incredibly proud of this legislation," said Representative Lewis. "Thank you to Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, and my colleagues for moving this important bill forward. This legislation will make the right to vote more accessible and will take our Commonwealth one step forward in the long journey toward racial and social justice"”

“At a time when Congress was unable to act on voting rights because of Republican obstruction, the VOTES Act will permanently enshrine many crucial voting reforms for residents of the Commonwealth,” said Representative Gentile. “Although I was disappointed to see that my amendment to include same day voter registration did not succeed, I am confident that this legislation will make it easier to vote safely and preserve voting rights, in Massachusetts, that are under attack in other states.”

Mail-In & Early Voting

To expand voter participation, this bill establishes permanent mail-in and early voting measures. This shall apply to any presidential or state primary, state special election or biennial state election, or any election held to fill vacancy in the United States Congress.

Automatic Voter Registration (AVR)

The House bill amends current AVR to ensure voters must be given the option to opt-out of registering after their AVR transaction—known as “back end” AVR. This is more effective than the current “front end” system which allows voters to opt out at their point of service (e.g., RMV) which ultimately encourages voters to opt-out at higher rates. Back-end AVR is more secure as it places the responsibility confirming voter eligibility on government officials rather than individuals.

Jail-Based Voting

Representatives Lewis, Robinson, and Gentile joined their colleagues in passing Amendment 13 by a vote of 153-5. This amendment will strengthen voting participation and ballot access for persons incarcerated, pending trial, or on a non-felony conviction by requiring sheriffs to supply them with important information such as absentee ballot request forms and voter registration forms.

Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

The passage of this bill will ensure that the Commonwealth enrolls in Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), bringing Massachusetts voter rolls up to date making it easier for voting measures to be implemented for election officials. This measure was previously passed in 2018, however the VOTES Act mandates the implementation by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The bill now goes before a joint House-Senate Conference Committee.

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