SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1074        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 384

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael J. Barrett

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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 to increase voter participation.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1074        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 384

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act to increase voter participation.

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.  Chapter 149 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out section 178, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 178.  Employees who do not have sufficient time outside of their regular working schedule to vote in a statewide or federal election, shall be afforded by their employer up to two hours of working time, without loss of pay, to vote.  An employer may require an employee voting during working time to take such time at the beginning or end of the employee’s regular working shift.  An employee taking time off to vote shall give their employer at least two days notice.  Every employer shall clearly post in the place of work where it can be seen by employees a notice setting forth the provisions of this section.