Franklin Matters: "there are so many details that go into planning an election"

Sunday, May 24, 2020

"there are so many details that go into planning an election"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Legislation outlining vote-by-mail procedures for the September and November elections in Massachusetts “absolutely cannot wait another month,” electoral reform advocates said Wednesday as they renewed their push for action on Beacon Hill.

Under normal circumstances, local departments need several months to prepare fully for major statewide elections, particularly in a presidential year. But with the COVID-19 pandemic upending most aspects of public life - and with voters broadly supporting mail-in ballots - reform advocates argued it is critical for lawmakers to quickly find consensus on the myriad proposals before them.

The Sept. 1 primary is less than 100 days away, and Secretary of State William Galvin wants to begin printing ballots as soon as June 2.

“Election officials need to prepare for the fall, and they need to do it as soon as possible,” said Common Cause Massachusetts Executive Director Pam Wilmot during a virtual press conference alongside about a dozen groups. “We’ll see what the Legislature decides, but time is absolutely of the essence and it needs to go now.”