Amendment #19, as changed to H4768

Depositing mail in ballots into tabulators in advance of election day

Mr. Moran of Boston moves to amend the bill in section 7, by striking out, in line 199, the word “election” and inserting in place thereof the following:- or general elections, or in the case of ballots that are processed pursuant to subsection (k), prior to depositing such ballot into a tabulator or a ballot box.  

And moves to further amend the bill in section 7 by adding the following subsection:-

(k) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any absent ballot cast pursuant to section 86 of chapter 54 of the General Laws or any early voting ballot cast pursuant to this section or section 6 may be deposited into a tabulator or a ballot box in a municipality or precinct that uses paper ballots, in advance of the date of the primary or the general election. All ballots received pursuant to this section or section 6 may be opened in advance of the date of the primary or the general election, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the state secretary; provided, that such ballots shall be kept secured, locked and unexamined, and that no results shall be determined or announced until after the time polls close on the date of the primary or the general election. Disclosing any such result before such time shall be punished as a violation of section 14 of said chapter 56. Not later than August 1, 2020, the state secretary shall promulgate emergency regulations regarding the advance depositing of ballots.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #19, as changed to H4768

Depositing mail in ballots into tabulators in advance of election day