Amendment #12 to H4397

Elections

Representatives Jones of North Reading, Hill of Ipswich, Poirier of North Attleborough, Gifford of Wareham, Frost of Auburn and Smola of Warren move to amend the bill by inserting the following new sections:-

“SECTION XX. Section 28 of chapter 51 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the word “eight” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- at least 5 o’clock but not later than 8.

SECTION XX. Said section 28 of said chapter 51, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 5, the word “four” and inserting in place thereof the following number:- 5.

SECTION XX. Said section 28 of said chapter 51, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 6 to 7, inclusive, the words “and from seven to eight o’clock in the evening.”

SECTION XX. Section 67 of chapter 54 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following four paragraphs:-

A community may opt to substitute paper voting lists for electronic poll books. Those communities who elect to use electronic poll books shall inform the elections division of the Office of the Secretary of State of their election to use the poll books at the check-in table.

Poll books shall only be used if they produce a receipt which provides the name, address, date of birth, and voter identification number of the voter in barcode form. Each voter will receive the appropriate ballot and the poll book receipt. After the voter completes the ballot, the voter shall present himself to the check-out table and provide the receipt to the election worker at the check-out table. Only after the election worker receives the receipt, shall the voter be permitted to cast his or her ballot.

Those communities who choose to use the poll books shall provide a separate poll book for the check-in table at each precinct. Only one election worker shall be required to work the check-in table for those communities who opt to use poll books.

Any voters who vote through the absentee or early voting process shall also be processed through the poll book. The receipts for said voters shall be presented at the polls along with the respective ballots for processing on election day.

SECTION XX. Said section 67 of said chapter 54, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, after the second sentence, the following sentence:- The presiding officer at each polling place may determine the most expedient manner in which to complete the check off procedures stated herein.”.