Bill S.478

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. Other states have similar provisions, and have apparently found them to be

useful, and appropriate.

Section 5. The Massachusetts Secretary of State, and its Elections Division, 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.

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