Massachusetts court rules in favor of mail-in voting, early voting law News
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Massachusetts court rules in favor of mail-in voting, early voting law

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Monday ruled that no-excuse mail-in voting and early voting are permissable under the state’s constitution. After Massachusett Governor Charlie Baker signed the VOTES Act in June, the law faced legal challenges from Massachusetts Republicans. On Monday, the court declined to grant an injunction blocking the law’s implementation.

The new law makes both mail-in ballots and early voting permanent in Massachusetts. Voters do not need to provide an excuse to receive their mail-in ballots. The law also allows stronger technological measures to protect voting integrity.

During the 2020 election, many states allowed mail-in ballots and increased early voting to allow voters to safely participate in elections during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020 almost 70 percent of US voters cast their ballots via mail-in votes or early voting.

Massachusetts joins over 30 other states in allowing absentee voting without an excuse. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin celebrated the Court’s decision and said the ballots will be printed and sent out next week.

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