House Passes The VOTES Act With Brookline Rep. Tommy Vitolo’s Support

BROOKLINE, MA — On Thursday, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a conferenced version of the VOTES Act, legislation that will make voting more accessible by expanding early voting options, allowing all residents of Massachusetts to vote by mail without an excuse, and ensuring that incarcerated eligible voters are able to request a mail ballot and vote.

“We must ensure that our democracy is modern, accessible, and equitable,” Brookline Rep. Tommy Vitolo said in a statement. “I fought to make this bill the most expansive and inclusive voting rights law in Massachusetts history, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen our election laws in future sessions. I am grateful to my colleagues and Chair Ryan for their work on this legislation.”

The VOTES Act will make no-excuse mail-in voting and early voting permanent for federal and state elections, as was the case during emergency Covid-19 provisions.

Applications for vote by mail will be sent to voters at least 45 days prior to an election. Voters will be able to cast their ballot in-person as least two weeks in advance of an election. The voter registration deadline was reduced from twenty days prior to an election to ten days prior.

“Voting by mail and in-person early voting made it easier and safer for people to vote during the pandemic and should continue to improve turnout in our elections,” Patricia Comfort, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, said in a statement. “The League applauds the legislature for making these reforms permanent, and we encourage legislators to continue to improve access to the ballot box by taking up same-day voter registration in the next session.”

The bill also expands accessibility for individuals with disabilities, bilingual voters, and incarcerated individuals. Early voting locations must be accessible, centrally located, suitable, and convenient. Bilingual ballots will be delivered to city and town clerks for voters with limited English proficiency and the Secretary of State must make the online voter portal accessible in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese.

Correctional facilities will be required to assist residents who are eligible to vote with registering and voting by mail. The bill will also require the state to join the Electronic Registration Information Center and state agencies will allow for automatic voter registration up to ten days prior to the election.

The bill sent to the governor does not include same day registration, which Vitolo voted in favor of, as the House of Representatives voted against its inclusion 63-94.

The legislation will now go to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.