HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1068        FILED ON: 2/1/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 760

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bruce J. Ayers

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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 assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1068        FILED ON: 2/1/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 760

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 633 OF 2019-2020.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

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An Act assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters.

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 10 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 35W the following new section:—

Section 35X. There is hereby established on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund known as the Polling Location Accessibility Fund, to promote improved involvement in the electoral process by physically-challenged and elderly individuals. Said fund shall consist of all monies appropriated therefore in each fiscal year and any funds donated to the commonwealth and designated for this purpose. All monies appropriated to said fund shall be made available for distribution upon appropriation.

All revenues credited under this section shall remain in said Polling Location Accessibility Fund to assist cities and towns of the commonwealth in paying all or part of any costs associated with local initiatives to improve the physical condition of polling locations that may contain obstacles to access, or impediments to movement for elderly and physically-challenged residents wishing to vote. Said fund may also be distributed to fund all or part of the costs associated with programs designed to increase the number of overall percentage of elderly and physically-challenged voters casting ballots at a state or federal election. All grants from this fund shall be made on a competitive basis pursuant to rules and regulations published by the office of the state secretary and all monetary awards shall be granted only at the discretion of the state secretary.

The state treasurer shall deposit the fund in such a manner that will secure the highest interest rate available consistent with the safety of the fund and the requirement that all amounts on deposit be available for immediate withdrawal. All monies appropriated to said fund but unexpended at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain designated within said fund and be available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years for use consistent with this section. The fund shall be expended only for the purposes herein stated at the direction of the state secretary.

SECTION 2. Chapter 54 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10 the following new section: —Section 10A: The state secretary is hereby authorized and directed to establish a grant program for the purpose of assisting cities and towns in paying all or part of any costs associated with local initiatives to improve the physical condition of polling locations that may contain obstacles to access, or impediments to movement for elderly and physically-challenged residents wishing to vote. Grants made pursuant to this section shall include but not be limited to the substantial alteration and remodeling of a polling location for the specific purpose of better accommodating elderly and physically-challenged residents exercising their right to vote on election day. The state secretary may also make grants to increase the number or overall percentage of elderly and physically-challenged voters casting ballots at a state or federal election. All grants from this fund shall be made on a competitive basis pursuant to rules and regulations published by the office of the state secretary and all monetary awards shall be granted only at the discretion of the state secretary subject to available appropriations in the Polling Location Accessibility Fund established pursuant to section 35R of chapter 10 of the General Laws.