March 29, 2024

Representative Steven Howitt announces passage of bill to temporarily postpone municipal elections during COVID-19 pandemic

March 31 special elections to fill House, Senate vacancies also moved

Posted

Boston – State Representative Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk) is supporting legislation that would allow communities to temporarily postpone upcoming municipal elections in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

On March 23, the House of Representatives and the Senate enacted Senate Bill 2608, which authorizes cities and towns to move municipal elections previously scheduled for May 30 or earlier to a new date, provided the election takes place prior to June 30. Representative Howitt said granting municipalities the authority to reschedule local elections is necessary to protect the health and safety of voters, poll workers and volunteers.

Communities that choose to delay their local elections will be required to post the vote authorizing the change of date and a sample ballot on their official municipal website at least 20 days prior to the rescheduled election, and to take other reasonable steps to notify voters of the date change. New voters will be allowed to register up to 10 days prior to the election.

To encourage voter participation, Senate Bill 2608 provides for both absentee and early voting. Absentee ballots will be accepted until noon on the last business day immediately preceding the rescheduled election date. Qualifying voters who wish to vote early by mail can file an application with their local election official requesting an early voting ballot.

The bill also contains provisions allowing elected municipal officials whose terms would otherwise have expired to continue to serve until the new election takes place and a successor is elected and qualified.

Senate Bill 2608 is now on Governor Charlie Baker’s desk awaiting his signature.

In related action, the House and Senate adopted separate orders to postpone four special elections to fill vacancies in their respective branches. All four special elections had previously been scheduled to take place on March 31.

The Senate moved the special elections for the Second Hampden & Hampshire and the Plymouth & Barnstable Districts to May 19, while the House postponed the special elections for the Thirty-Seventh Middlesex and the Third Bristol Districts until June 2.

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