HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4346        FILED ON: 7/9/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3983

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Marjorie C. Decker

_________________

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 authorizing the city of Cambridge to offer early voting in municipal elections.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Marjorie C. Decker

25th Middlesex

7/9/2021


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4346        FILED ON: 7/9/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3983

By Ms. Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3983) of Marjorie C. Decker (with the approval of the city council) that the city of Cambridge be authorized to offer early voting in municipal elections.  Election Laws.  [Local Approval Received.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act authorizing the city of Cambridge to offer early voting in municipal elections.

 

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. Beginning in the year 2019, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the City of Cambridge may offer early voting for municipal elections.

The City of Cambridge may elect to allow any qualified voter, as defined in section 1 of chapter 51 of the General Laws, to cast a ballot for any biennial municipal election during the early voting period.

The City of Cambridge’s Election Commission may promulgate regulations to implement this act not inconsistent with section 25B of chapter 54 of the General Laws and with other election laws applicable in the City of Cambridge, including those governing proportional representation voting. Such regulations may include, but are not limited to, a process for establishing early voting locations, dates, staffing, and a process for applying for, receiving, separating, compiling, recording, and securing early voter ballots. Each early voting site shall be accessible to persons with disabilities.

SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE

This act shall take full effect upon its acceptance and appropriation by majority vote of the City Council of said City, but not otherwise.