SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1439 FILED ON: 1/16/2015
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 388
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act for political party endorsement reform.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
Vincent Lawrence Dixon | 60 Lake Street – Unit N, Winchester, Mass. 01890 |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1439 FILED ON: 1/16/2015
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 388
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 388) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon for legislation for political party endorsement reform. Election Laws. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)
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An Act for political party endorsement reform.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the following new chapter:-
Chapter 57A. Political Party Endorsement
Section 1. An Act to permit certain political party organizational reforms, by allowing a cross-endorsement process, by which more than one political party, may endorse the same candidate, and all votes cast for that candidate, may be totaled for that particular individual.
Section 2. Over many years, significant numbers of individuals have desired a greater range of choices for electing public officials, during election periods. This legislation seeks to recognize that an additional choice would be provided, by permitting coalitions of different political designations, and parties, to support, and/or not support, various candidates.
Section 3. Present Massachusetts law requires independent, individual candidates by each political party, and/or independent persons. Votes presently, cannot be counted for a single individual, summed in total. In so doing, political choices are limited to certain definitions, that limit the ability of coalitions to form, that would improve voter choices.
Section 4. The Massachusetts Secretary of State, being the relevant regulator, and supervisor of elections in Massachusetts, is hereby empowered to establish appropriate regulations, by which all recognized political parties, may cross-endorse candidates of other parties, by their particular legal political process.