SENATE DOCKET, NO. 921        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)

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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 for primary election reform.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Vincent Dixon

60 Lake St Apt N Winchester MA 01890


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 921        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[Pin Slip]

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 425 OF 2023-2024.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

 

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.