Voting Options Legislation on the Governor's Desk

Boston - Last week the Conference Committee report, H.4820, An Act relative to voting options in response to COVID-19, was enacted in the Massachusetts Legislature and sent to the Governor’s desk for further consideration. This comprehensive legislation will establish a vote by mail system and expand early voting for the 2020 state primary and general elections, providing options for voters while balancing public health concerns.

“I want to thank the Senate President, Speaker DeLeo, Leader Moran, Chair Michlewitz, Chair Lawn, Senator Finegold and my colleagues in the Legislature for all their hard work in getting this bill passed” said Representative Linsky. “H.4820 is a powerful example of Massachusetts’ adaptability during these uncertain times, prioritizing the health and well-being of its citizens while protecting our democratic process. This comprehensive legislation will provide the electorate in Massachusetts with a variety of voting options while supporting our local municipalities and clerks.”

The components of the bill are as follows:

Implements an early vote-by-mail system:

• An application to receive an early voting ballot for the primary will be mailed to all registered voters by July 15, 2020. The Secretary will then mail another application for the general election by September 14, 2020. Both applications and ballots will have postage costs already paid for.

• Ballots postmarked on or before November 3, 2020 will be counted until Friday November 6, 2020 at 5.PM. Applications for early voting and absentee voting must be received 4 business days before the election, by Wednesday August 26 2020 (for the primary) and Wednesday Oct. 28 2020.

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, and will take place from Saturday, August 22, 2020 through Friday, August 28, 2020. Early voting for the general election is scheduled to take place from Saturday , October 17, 2020 to Friday, October 30, 2020.

Makes in-person voting safer and more efficient:

• The bill allows municipalities, with proper notice, 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.

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.

Tasks the Secretary of State with creating an online portal and promoting voting options:

• To make it as easy as possible for people to apply for general election early voting, the bill requires Secretary Galvin’s office to create an online portal not later than October 1, 2020. Electronic applications for early voting will be available for the general election, and if feasible, for the primary election.

• The bill also requires the Secretary of State to conduct a public awareness campaign to inform and notify voters of the many options available to cast a vote in upcoming 2020 elections.

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