Gov. signs law extending voting provisions through Dec. 15

Gov. Charlie Baker today signed a $261.6 million supplemental budget for fiscal 2021 that includes provisions to extend early voting through Dec. 15, 2021.

With regard to elections, the new law:
• Extends no-excuse absentee voting for all elections through Dec. 15, 2021
• Authorizes in-person early voting for any regular or special municipal preliminary, primary or general election on or before Dec. 15, 2021
• Authorizes early voting by mail for any regular or special or state preliminary primary or general election on or before Dec. 15, 2021
• Extends the right of voters ordered to quarantine to select an alternative location for delivery of ballots for annual or special municipal or state primary or election held on or before Dec. 15, 2021
• Allows a select board, board of selectmen, town council or city council — after a public hearing and by recorded and public vote at least 45 days prior to the date of an election — to opt-out of allowing early voting by mail for any annual or special municipal preliminary or municipal election

These COVID pandemic-related changes to election procedures, initially made in spring 2020, were extended by three months in March, but the extension ended on June 30. The extension through Dec. 15 covers city elections set for this fall.

The supplemental budget signed by the governor includes $12.5 million for implementation of the December 2020 police reform law, with a specific focus on de-escalation training, use of force training and school resource officer training, as well as $5 million for initial costs associated with the newly created Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.

The budget involves a range of additional spending for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, including $131 million to help stabilize the early education and care sector.

Lawmakers and the governor have expressed support for easier access to mail-in voting and expanded early voting. Legislative leaders have signaled that they intend to take up a more comprehensive election reform bill this fall.