SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1373        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 425

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)

_________________

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 for primary election reform.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Vincent Lawrence Dixon

 


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1373        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 425

By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 425) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon for legislation for primary election reform.  Election Laws.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 479 OF 2021-2022.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act for primary election reform.

 

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. The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the

following new chapter:

An Act for Primary Election Reform.

1.) The regular Primary Election Day for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall be the third Tuesday of May.

2.) It is in the interest of public policy, and fair, informed elections, that the General Election campaign be, and have the opportunity to,

develop over a sustained period of time.

3.) Therefore, the practices of many states, have Primaries before the Summer Season, and General Elections in the Fall Season, and this is the intent of this legislation, hoping that it may increase turnout, and public engagement, in both the primaries, and general elections.

4.) The Secretary of the Commonwealth, as the Chief Election Officer, shall have the full powers to establish such needed rules, and regulations regarding all elections, as is normal practice, that will apply to this May Primary Election Day; including Absentee Ballots,

Early Voting, Mail-In, and other appropriate provisions.