HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3315        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3783

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Shawn Dooley

_________________

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 establish a commission to study election integrity.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Shawn Dooley

9th Norfolk

2/19/2021

David F. DeCoste

5th Plymouth

2/22/2021

Joseph D. McKenna

18th Worcester

2/23/2021

Steven S. Howitt

4th Bristol

2/23/2021

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

20th Middlesex

2/26/2021

Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.

5th Worcester

2/26/2021

Nicholas A. Boldyga

3rd Hampden

2/26/2021

Kelly W. Pease

4th Hampden

2/26/2021

Michael J. Soter

8th Worcester

3/4/2021


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3315        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3783

By Mr. Dooley of Norfolk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3783) of Shawn Dooley and others for an investigation by a special commission relative to election integrity.  Election Laws.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act to establish a commission to study election integrity.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

(a) There shall be a special commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to study and evaluate the election and voting procedures of the commonwealth to ensure transparency and election integrity.

(b) The commission shall consist of 7 members: 1 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the state secretary; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Massachusetts City Clerks Association, Inc.; and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, Inc.. The commission shall elect from its members a chair and any other officers it considers necessary.

(c) The commission shall analyze the voting laws, procedures, practices and equipment utilized in elections in the commonwealth. The commission shall investigate the manner by which votes are cast throughout the commonwealth, including, but not limited to: (i) the technology and software used in tabulating vote counts; (ii) technology and procedures used in determining voter eligibility; (iii) any irregularities reported in early, mail in absentee or day of voting; (iv) or any other aspect of election and voting procedures that the commission determines to be paramount to ensure election integrity. The commission may seek information from other state election officials and review their best practices and procedures. 

(d) The commission shall hold a minimum of 4 listening sessions in geographically diverse locations throughout the commonwealth and provide for at least 1 online listening session. The state secretary shall create an online portal allowing citizens of the commonwealth to submit comments and testimony for the commission’s consideration. All correspondence shall be submitted to all members of the commission prior to the start of discussion and deliberation. 

(e) No later than February 1, 2023, the commission shall file its report, together with their findings and recommendations on best practices with clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint committee on election laws.