Applications For Mail-In Voting To Hit Massachusetts In Upcoming Weeks

MASSACHUSETTS — Applications to vote in the September 6 state primary by mail are hitting the mailboxes of Massachusetts residents within the next few weeks, Secretary of State William Galvin said earlier this week.

More than 4.7 million ballot applications will be sent to voters by July 23 as the VOTESAct continues as Gov. Charlie Baker initially planned.

These applications are the direct result of the Supreme Judicial Court rejecting Republican lawmakers' request to block Baker's VOTESAct law - which makes vote-by-mail permanent while expanding early in-person voting options, and extending access to the ballot for eligible incarcerated residents.

Earlier in the month, Republicans voiced their opposition to this new law and challenged it in Massachusetts' highest court, claiming the expansions of "absentee voting" were unconstitutional. On Monday, July 11, the Supreme Court voted in favor of the law, saying it is in fact constitutional.

This ruling does not dismiss the lawsuit altogether but allows the VOTESAct to remain in effect while the Supreme Court reviews the case.

Part of the VOTESAct requires the state to send out mail-in ballot applications 45 days before an election, which is allowing Galvin's office to send the applications as originally planned.

"We're going ahead," Galvin said Monday. "I have no injunction, so I'm moving as fast as I can. Catch me if you can."

Massachusetts voters have until Aug. 29 to apply for a mail-in ballot ahead of the Sept. 6 primary.

If you want to make sure you're registered to vote, make sure your address is up to date on the state election's website here.