Amendment #21 to H4768

Streamlining mail in ballot application process

Mr. Moran of Boston moves to amend the bill in Section 6(3), in line 67, by inserting after the words "election" the words “(iii) “a bar code on each application specific to the voter which can be used by the city or town clerk to scan such application into the voter registration system for processing, (iv) clear instructions and link for how voters can track their mail in application.” ; and further amends the bill by adding the following section:

SECTION XXXX. The secretary will make software changes to the voter registration system to streamline the process for entering mail in ballot requests which shall include one step scanning process of applications using bar codes required on applications mailed by the secretary in accordance with section 6(3)(iii) in addition to other reporting and processing enhancements that may assist city and town clerks with more efficiently processing mail in applications, by July 15, 2020. ; and further amends the bill by adding the following section:

SECTION XXXX. The secretary will implement a voter tracking system for early voted applications, similar to what the secretary does for absentee ballot tracking for state elections, that will provide voters with real time tracking of the status of their application, including date application processed, date ballot mailed by local official, date ballot received back by the local official and provide the link to this tracking system on each application mailed by the secretary in accordance with 6(3)(iv).

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #21 to H4768

Streamlining mail in ballot application process