Showing posts with label vote by mail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vote by mail. Show all posts

Friday, June 11, 2021

MA Senate Votes to Extend Popular State of Emergency Measures; Sends to MA House

Today (06/10/21), the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill which would extend a slate of measures instituted in Massachusetts during the State of Emergency stemming from COVID-19. If signed into law, this bill would result in the included measures being temporarily extended beyond the State of Emergency’s expiration on June 15, 2021.

 

“The end of the State of Emergency in Massachusetts is both a testament to how far we’ve come and a reminder of the work that lies ahead as we seek a robust recovery equitable to all residents” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Massachusetts’ recovery will depend on our ability to respond to the lessons of the pandemic, in such areas as housing, healthcare, the restaurant industry and civic and community engagement. Today’s legislation keeps these conversations going and addresses the future of some of the most popular new ideas that have been embraced during the pandemic. Some of the included measures, like mail-in voting and greater access to public meetings, are not merely convenient but are crucial for the continued health of our democracy. I’m grateful for the work of Chair Rodrigues and the Committee on Ways and Means for moving this important bill forward swiftly.”

 

Many of the extended measures deal with elections and public meetings. Under the bill, mail-in voting would be extended in Massachusetts until December 15, 2021, giving voters flexibility and more opportunity to participate in upcoming fall elections. With municipal approval, early in-person voting could be extended through the same date.

 

Public bodies subject to the open meeting law would be able to continue holding meetings remotely until April 1, 2022. Similarly, remote town meetings would remain an option for Massachusetts municipalities through December 15, 2021, and quorum requirements for town meetings would be eased. Nonprofits and public corporations would be able to hold meetings remotely until December 15, 2021.

 

“Extending these emergency measures will allow municipalities, restaurants, businesses, and residents the flexibility they need to adapt as we continue on the path toward our new normal and we get back to a new better,” stated Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her steady leadership and thank you to my colleagues in the Senate for moving quickly to support citizens of the Commonwealth.”

 

Also included in the bill are measures relative to restaurant operations. The legislation would allow municipalities to approve and extend permits for outdoor dining through April 1, 2022. Restaurants would also be permitted to offer alcoholic beverages, including mixed drinks, for off-site consumption with the purchase of food until March 1, 2022.

 

The bill also extends certain protections afforded to tenants during the pandemic. Among these is the requirement that a ‘notice to quit,’ including information on tenants’ rights as well as methods for seeking legal and financial assistance, be served to tenants prior to an eviction. Such notices will continue to be required until at least January 1, 2023. Furthermore, the legislation would also extend hardship protections to persons facing eviction by continuing the court practice of offering temporary continuances to tenants who have filed applications for rental assistance, thereby preventing unnecessary evictions in cases where tenants are unable to pay rent due to COVID-19-related financial hardship. This statutory requirement would have expired on June 15, 2021 and instead will be extended until April 1, 2022.

 

“We learned a lot during the COVID experience, and we may be able to use some of those lessons going forward. This legislation gives us the time to sort out which changes we should make permanent,” stated President Pro Tempore Senator William Brownsberger (D-Belmont).

 

“This bill represents responsible and proactive action by the Senate to ensure that important safeguards remain in place after June 15th,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The effects of this public health crisis are not over; we must continue to protect the public’s health and well-being. This bill maintains the rapid availability of our strong health care workforce and provides financial support to those most impacted by the pandemic, like those who struggle to secure adequate childcare as in-person work resumes. I thank Senate President Spilka, Chair Rodrigues, and my senate colleagues for their speedy and thoughtful effort in addressing these matters.”

 

“The bill the Senate passed today recognizes that for many people in Massachusetts, the pandemic is far from over,” said Senator Joanne M. Comerford (D-Northampton). “By extending many of these emergency provisions, we can assure people that many of the important protections such as those having to do with public health, remote participation in civic life, outdoor dining, and protections against evictions will remain in place.”

 

In an amendment proposed by Senator Jehlen and adopted during debate, a lack of access to childcare will not prohibit someone from collecting unemployment benefits from continuing to access those benefits.  This practice, initiated during the pandemic and otherwise set to expire on June 15, 2021 will continue until federal unemployment protections expire in September. 

 

Finally, the Senate extended several measures to ensure that sufficient workforce and access to necessary healthcare services remain to address the needs of the Commonwealth during the continuing public health emergency. In a move which fulfills the Senate’s stated commitment to supporting telehealth’s inclusion as a healthcare option for Massachusetts residents, a requirement that certain in-network telehealth services be reimbursed at the same rate as equivalent in-person services would be extended until at least December 15, 2021.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives. 


Wednesday, May 12, 2021

MA News: "Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to overturn 2020 state election results"

 

"A JUDGE has thrown out a challenge of the 2020 state election results that was filed by five losing Republican candidates.

Former congressional candidates John Paul Moran and Caroline Colarusso, state Senate candidate Steven Hall, and state representative candidates Ingrid Centurion and Craig Valdez had challenged the state law that allowed voters to vote by mail for any reason during the COVID-19 pandemic. They asked a judge to overturn the November 2020 election results, order a new election, and prevent Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin from implementing a variety of voting practices in the future, including mail-in ballot applications and voting and early voting (which has existed for several election cycles).

Worcester Superior Court Judge Janet Kenton-Walker ruled Monday that the challenge is no longer relevant. She granted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit that was filed by Attorney General Maura Healey on behalf of Galvin and Gov. Charlie Baker."
Continue reading the article online
 

Thursday, March 18, 2021

MA State News: Law signed to extend vote by mail to June; vaccine schedule for all released

"Gov. Baker signs law to extend pandemic-related voting changes"

"A law signed by Gov. Charlie Baker today provides a three-month extension for a number of changes to voting procedures that were enacted last spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including early voting by mail."

Continue reading the article online

"All Mass. adults eligible for vaccines April 19"
"ALL ADULTS LIVING in Massachusetts will become eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine beginning on April 19, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday. That does not mean, however, that everyone will be able to immediately get a shot, since getting a dose will depend on how much supply becomes available from the federal government.

“It will take time obviously for the vaccine to arrive here in Massachusetts and for everyone in these groups to get appointments and get vaccinated,” Baker said at a press conference Wednesday, after touring a vaccination site at the Shaw’s Center in Brockton."
Continue reading the article online
 
Gov Baker's press Conference: https://youtu.be/kGc034ngWJ4
 

National News: no mail fraud in PA found; check on your IRS stimulus payment; intelligence report highlights terrorists threats

"Postal Service finds no evidence of mail ballot fraud in Pa. case cited by top Republicans"

"U.S. Postal Service investigators found no evidence to support a Pennsylvania postal worker’s claim that his supervisors had tampered with mail-in ballots, according to an inspector general’s report — allegations cited by top Republicans to press baseless claims of fraud in the presidential election."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
 "The IRS has sent out 90 million stimulus payments."
"The Internal Revenue Service told financial institutions to expect roughly 90 million direct deposits amounting to $242.2 billion on March 17 in the initial distribution of the American Rescue Plan stimulus payments, according to a banking industry group.

Following the deposits, the IRS mailed an additional 150,000 checks amounting to $442 million, with a pay date of March 19, according to the Independent Community Bankers of America, based on a briefing from the IRS.

“Additional batches of payments will be sent in the coming weeks with the vast majority sent by direct deposit,” the group said in an online update to banking members. “Payments will also be sent through the mail as a check or debit card.” 
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

"Racist extremists pose most deadly terrorist threat to US, intelligence report warns"
"Racially motivated extremists pose the most lethal domestic terrorism threats to the US, according to an unclassified intelligence report that warned that the threats could grow this year.

The blunt assessment, in a report released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, echoes warnings made by US officials, including the FBI director, Christopher Wray, who testified earlier this month that the threat from domestic violent extremism was “metastasizing” across the country."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

FM #492 - Senator Becca Rausch - 03/11/21 (audio)

FM #492 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 492 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Senator Becca Rausch

We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 
Last meet/recorded Aug 14, 2020 on the Franklin Town Common
How are you doing?
 
Priorities this year
Vaccine equity/ post pandemic
Voting rights

Links to the Senator’s pages as mentioned during our conversation are provided in the show notes.  

Our recording runs about 41 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Senator Becca Rausch. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4bf800a4-d8a6-4568-8c6e-2748f8e7d523 


--------------

Senator Becca Rausch home page:   https://www.beccarauschma.com/ 

Her issues page:  https://www.beccarausch.com/issues    

Leadership Lunch series celebrating women in March on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/beccarauschMA/posts/748458989143885

Sign up for a spot during one of her virtual ‘office hours’  https://www.beccarauschma.com/office-hours 

From the archives: our conversation recorded in August 2020
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/fm-331-senator-becca-rausch-81420-audio.html  

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit   Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Senator Becca Rausch (Twitter profile image)
Senator Becca Rausch (Twitter profile image)


Sunday, March 14, 2021

MA Legislature Extends Vote-By-Mail Through June

The Massachusetts House of Representatives and state Senate on Thursday March 11, 2021, passed legislation to extend mail-in voting and early voting options for elections held through the end of June 2021. The vote-by-mail provision was previously set to expire at the end of March 2021.

“As other states across our country work to disenfranchise their voters, I am proud Massachusetts is choosing to extend and enhance efforts to ensure every eligible resident can exercise their fundamental right to cast a ballot in our local elections, stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “With a record number of ballots casted in 2020, our successful vote-by-mail system increased access and protected our most vulnerable residents from putting their health at risk. I would like to thank Senators Rodrigues, Finegold, Lewis and Creem  as well as Speaker Mariano and my colleagues in the House for their collaboration on this bill and look forward to this extension of voting options becoming law.”

“During this pandemic, our vote-by-mail system has proved to be an accessible and secure tool for voters to exercise their right to vote without putting their health at risk,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “We are glad to have passed this extension that will allow cities and towns to continue offering vote by mail and other voting options for their upcoming elections. I thank my fellow members in the House, and Senate President Spilka and our state senators for their collaboration in getting this bill to the Governor’s desk. We must continue to explore options that encourage and empower voters to be active participants in our democratic process, and I look forward to working with Chairs Aaron Michlewitz and Daniel Ryan in legislation that will make vote by mail permanent in Massachusetts.”

“Ensuring access to the polls is a vital part of democracy, and I am happy that the Legislature has taken this important step to ensure upcoming local elections can move forward safely without disruption,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to Senate President Spilka and Senator Finegold for their leadership on this issue, and thank you to my colleagues in the Legislature for supporting equitable access to voting for all residents of the Commonwealth, including individuals with disabilities.”

“By passing this short-term extension of the vote by mail reforms the Legislature enacted last year, we are ensuring that cities and towns will be able to provide voters with safe and easy access to the ballot box this Spring,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). “Later this session I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to make these reforms permanent, so that these measures will continue to safeguard our elections and guarantee that our democratic process will not be hampered by this or any future public health crisis.” 

“This legislation will help ensure that residents can continue to vote safely and easily during the ongoing pandemic,” said Senator Barry R. Finegold (D-Andover), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. “Last year, the Legislature passed a common-sense, bipartisan bill to expand early voting and implement a secure vote-by-mail system for elections in 2020. These reforms protected public health, empowered voters, and helped generate record-breaking turnout. I am glad that the Legislature is temporarily extending mail-in voting through the end of June, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and local election officials on legislation to make vote-by-mail permanent.”     

‘Over this past year, the COVID pandemic has caused us to take a closer look at, and improve upon, many of our society’s systems. Voting is one of those,” said Representative Daniel J. Ryan, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws (D-Boston). “I applaud Chairman Michelwitz and my House and Senate colleagues for working swiftly to extend vote-by-mail and other safety precautions through this spring’s elections. I especially want to thank Speaker Mariano for his leadership on these ballot access measures and his bold commitment to work toward their permanency. I’m looking forward to a robust discussion on how to best move election legislation forward.’

“Voting reforms like mail-in voting and expanded early in-person voting have been critical to ensuring that all voters can safely and conveniently exercise their right to vote during the pandemic,” said Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), lead Senate sponsor of the legislation. “I’m very grateful to my colleagues in both the House and Senate for the strong bipartisan support of this bill and look forward to working together to hopefully pass further legislation later this session to make these voting reforms permanent.”

“Vote by mail and early voting options have allowed us to conduct safe elections during the pandemic while also expanding voter participation,” said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D-Newton).  “By extending these options today, this bill ensures that we can conduct safe, secure municipal elections this spring without limiting anyone’s access to the ballot box.”

The bill also allows municipalities to provide residents with the option to vote early in-person in these elections. Additionally, the legislation requires local election officials to make reasonable efforts to grant accommodations for voters with disabilities who might have difficulty accessing a paper mail-in ballot and request an accommodation. Furthermore, cities and towns can postpone municipal elections and caucuses scheduled before June 30, 2021 until August 1, 2021.

The bill now advances to the Governor for consideration.

MA Legislature Extends Vote-By-Mail Through June
 MA Legislature Extends Vote-By-Mail Through June


Friday, February 12, 2021

CommonWealth Magazine: "Constitutional challenge to vote-by-mail likely"

 

"Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin and voting rights advocates want to allow Massachusetts residents to vote by mail for any reason. But is that constitutional?

The Massachusetts Constitution explicitly says the Legislature can authorize absentee voting for just three reasons: if someone is out of town, physically disabled, or cannot vote on Election Day due to a religious belief.

Lawmakers acknowledged the constraint in 2013, when they considered but did not act on a constitutional amendment to allow absentee voting for any reason.

“There’s been a long-term traditional view that opportunities to vote by mail in Massachusetts are constrained by the Constitution, which specifies particular conditions under which you can do this,” said Evan Horowitz, executive director of the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University."

Continue reading the article online
 
 

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

"success is a reason to make mail-in voting permanent"

 

"CITING THE SUCCESS of mail-in voting during the pandemic, Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin on Tuesday released a bill that would make voting by mail a permanent feature of Massachusetts elections.

Galvin said vote-by-mail led to record turnout in the state primary and the presidential election, with prompt, reliable results. “Voters were very enthusiastic about it and used it,” Galvin said. “From an administrative point of view, we know now we can do it.”

Continue reading the article online 

There are 20 bills filled on 'vote by mail' for this session (as of 2/10/21 AM)

Senator Becca Rausch filed two bills on this topic: 

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Washington Post: "Five myths about voting machines"

From The Washington Post, an article of interest for Franklin:

President Trump is still pretending that he won last month’s election, insisting falsely that only massive fraud made it appear that President-elect Joe Biden won. Many of his claims, and the even more baroque allegations of his supporters, have focused on voting machines — part of the electoral system that most people don’t spend much time thinking about. Here are some of the biggest myths circulating about them now.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 

Friday, November 13, 2020

Town of Franklin, MA: December 5 Election Update

The mail-in ballots for the upcoming Town Election on December 5th have arrived and are being sent out by the Town Clerk's office
 
Want to know more about important election dates, voting options, and candidates?
 
Visit our website at https://t.co/6vZoiF1KQe  
 


Town of Franklin, MA: December 5 Election Update
Town of Franklin, MA: December 5 Election Update

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

December 5, 2020 - Town Election Information

The Town of Franklin is holding a special election on December 5th to fill a vacant Town Council seat. Mail-in ballots will be sent out on or around November 16th. 

Please find the information below and on our website at https://t.co/6vZoiF1KQe

https://t.co/tShIlZt5ah

December 5, 2020
Town Election Information
 
The Town of Franklin is holding a special town election on Saturday, December 5, 2020, to fill a vacant Town Council seat. Voting will be held at Franklin High School from 7 am- 8 pm.

 -   There will NOT be early voting hours held for the Town Election.
 -  Mail-in Ballots will be sent out on or around November 9th.
 -   If you requested a mail-in ballot for ALL ELECTIONS, you will receive a ballot for the Town Election in the mail.  
 -   If you requested a mail-in ballot for the Primary or the State Election only, you will NOT receive a ballot in the mail for the Town Election.
 -   You can request an absentee ballot for the Town Election by filling out the Absentee Ballot Form.
 -   Mail-in ballots for the Town Election can be returned via the drive-thru window, the designated white mailbox at the Municipal Building, or by mail. 
 
December 5, 2020 - Town Election Information
December 5, 2020 - Town Election Information

Sunday, November 8, 2020

"Municipalities have until Nov. 18 to send their final tallies to the state"

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

"These vote-counting sessions are required so that local clerks can count any ballots that came in between 5 p.m. on Election Day and 5 p.m. on Friday, as long as they were postmarked by Tuesday. Another session will need to be scheduled to count overseas ballots, which have another week to arrive, but again, must have been postmarked by Nov. 3.

Municipalities were allowed to save ballots that came in the mail on Election Day until these later counting sessions, but many chose to count them on Election Day.

None of the cities or towns in MetroWest or Greater Milford who responded to the Daily News anticipate having enough ballots to overturn their town’s presidential results. Several had 20 ballots or fewer as of Thursday or Friday afternoon, with only a day or a few hours left until the post office could drop off more.

On Saturday, Franklin officials expected to count nearly 200 ballots, the most of any community in the region. But that’s still not enough to take the win from Biden in that town, where he had just under 5,000 votes more than President Donald Trump."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 

"Municipalities have until Nov. 18 to send their final tallies to the state"
"Municipalities have until Nov. 18 to send their final tallies to the state"

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

CommonWealth Magazine: mail voting may remain; abortion access up for discussion during lame duck session

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Massachusetts allowed no-excuse mail-in voting for the first time this year as well as expanded early voting – and millions of voters took advantage.

By Saturday evening, 2.28 million voters had cast their ballots, either by mail or in person – a number equivalent to more than two-thirds of all ballots cast in the 2016 election.

For Pam Wilmot, vice president of state operations for Common Cause, said that is all the proof needed to retain no-excuse mail-in voting going forward. “This process works, and we should absolutely make it permanent,” Wilmot said.

Wilmot and state Sen. Barry Finegold, an Andover Democrat who chairs the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Election Laws, joined The Codcast to talk about the changes to voting made in this year’s elections and the implications for future elections."'

Continue reading article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/mail-in-voting-may-be-here-to-stay-2/

 

"MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE SPEAKER Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka announced on Monday that the two branches will take up abortion access legislation during the lame duck session that runs until the end of the year.

“We are very concerned that Massachusetts’ women’s reproductive rights are under threat at the national level,” said DeLeo and Spilka in a joint statement. “We are therefore committed to debate measures in the House and Senate this session that would remove barriers to women’s reproductive health options and protect the concepts enshrined in Roe v. Wade.”

It is not clear what removing barriers means specifically, but it’s likely the legislation would deal with at least some of the provisions in the so-called ROE Act, which would expand access to abortion, require health insurance coverage for abortions to be covered for low-income residents not eligible for MassHealth, and allow for abortions after 24 weeks in cases where the fetus has been diagnosed with a fatal birth defect. Current law only allows abortions to occur after 24 weeks when the life of the mother is at risk."
Continue reading article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/deleo-spilka-promise-abortion-debate-in-lame-duck-session/


Monday, November 2, 2020

Franklin Voters: Election 2020 reminders

The early voting period completed Friday (Oct 30) at noon time.
 
If you have not sent in your mail ballot, please drop it off at the Municipal Building in the drive through (from 8 AM to 8 PM) or leave it in the dropbox at the Municipal Building.

If you plan on voting in person, all precincts vote in one location: Franklin High School. Parking should be available. It is a professional development day for the district, teachers may be around but no students.

Poll hours are from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. (Note: this is a change as most prior elections open at 6 AM but not this time. Plan accordingly.)

According to the Town Clerk, more than 50% of the registered Franklin voters have already cast their ballots (via mail or early vote) so while it will be busy (10,000 plus voters anticipated) it shouldn't be too crazy.

If you need information to prepare to cast an informed vote, the Franklin voters guide can be found here:  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/franklin-community-voting-guide.html

Info on Ballot Question 3 - Community Preservation Act can be found here

The "election collection" of all the posts from the Primary through today can be found here:  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/2020-election-collection.html



voting booths at FHS, taken during an observation period this weekend
voting booths at FHS, taken during an observation period this weekend

If you do have vision problems, there is a special machine to help you. Check with one of the election workers as you enter the high school 

there is a special machine to help you if you have vision problems
there is a special machine to help you if you have vision problems

 


Wednesday, October 28, 2020

“We have new procedures and protocols in place”

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

"For election security, four police officers will be staffed at Franklin High School, the town’s only polling location for all eight precincts. Two will be stationed inside, and another two will keep watch outside.

Even in a normal election cycle, this would be among the busiest times of the year for city and town clerks and other election workers. But the upcoming presidential election is unlike any other.

A variety of factors — the coronavirus pandemic, caustic political rhetoric and worries about election integrity — are forcing clerks in MetroWest and Greater Milford to take measures they’ve never before taken, and implement new policies and standards to account for what is shaping up to be the busiest election cycle for these workers.

Clerks have been so busy putting in place health and security precautions while processing mail-in ballots and early voting that it was difficult for these public servants to find time for an interview with the Daily News."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
 
early voting was underway when I stopped by to observe the ballot opening processing on Sunday
early voting was underway when I stopped by to observe the ballot opening processing on Sunday


Tuesday, October 27, 2020

In the News: 3rd day of more than 1,000 cases in MA; man arrested in Boston ballot box burning incident

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

"Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported more than 1,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases for the third consecutive day.

The 1,216 new cases were out of about 20,000 tests, a positivity rate of about 6%, according to data released by the Department of Public Health.

The 7-day rolling average of daily new cases in Massachusetts has now surged over the past two weeks from more than 565 on Oct. 11 to more than 986 on Sunday, according to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

The 7-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Massachusetts has risen over the past two weeks from 0.96% on Oct. 11 to almost 1.4% on Sunday, according to Johns Hopkins."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

"A man was charged with setting a Boston ballot drop box on fire and damaging dozens of ballots, police said Monday.

Worldy Armand, a 39-year-old Boston resident, was taken into custody late Sunday, hours after he started a fire inside a drop box outside the Boston Public Library in the city’s Back Bay neighborhood, authorities said. The box contained more than 120 ballots.

Armand faces a charge of willful and malicious burning, police said. It was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney to speak for him.

The FBI had said Sunday that it’s investigating. Federal authorities urged members of the public to “remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious, election-related activity.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Town of Franklin, MA: Early voting, drive through window schedule

Early voting is available this weekend!  

You can also drop your ballots off in the drive-thru at the Municipal Building during extended hours, or drop in the White Mailbox! 

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk  #vote #elections2020 

Shared from Twitter:  https://t.co/FsWZKHSAxo

Town of Franklin, MA: Early voting, drive through window schedule
Town of Franklin, MA: Early voting, drive through window schedule



Town of Franklin, MA: Early voting, drive through window schedule
Town of Franklin, MA: Early voting schedule

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Town of Franklin: Notice of Advanced Removal of Early Voted Ballots From Envelopes and Advanced Depositing of Early Voted Ballots

In accordance with the Secretary of State Regulations 47.12 and under the provisions of section 7 (k) of Chapter 115 of the Acts of 2020, the Town of Franklin will be opening early voted ballots at the Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street at the following sessions:

  •     Sunday, October 25th    10:00 AM
  •     Monday, October 26th    9:00 AM
  •     Tuesday, October 27th    9:00 AM
  •     Wednesday, October 28th    9:00 AM
  •     Thursday, October 29th    9:00 AM
  •     Friday, October 30th    9:00 AM

In accordance with the Secretary of State Regulations 47.12 and under the provisions of section 7 (k) of Chapter 115 of the Acts of 2020, the Town of Franklin will be depositing early voted ballots at the Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street at the following sessions:

  •     Saturday, October 31st    9:00 AM
  •     Sunday, November 1st    9:00 AM

We respectfully ask that observers register by emailing townclerk@franklinma.gov in advance of all early voted ballots sessions.

In accordance with the Regulations 47.12 and the provisions of section 7 (k) of Chapter 115 of the Acts of 2020, no results shall be determined or announced until after the time the polls close on November 3rd. At that time the results from the advance processed ballots will be added to the election day results and posted in a public place.


355 East Central St., Franklin Ma. Main Line - 508-520-4900/e-mail- townclerk@franklinma.gov 

Notice of Advanced Removal of Early Voted Ballots
Notice of Advanced Removal of Early Voted Ballots


Tuesday, October 20, 2020

In the News: "Secretary Galvin expects historical turnout to exceed 2016"

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

"Voter turnout for the Nov. 3 election is projected to be double the record-setting number of ballots cast in the Sept. 1 state primaries, and even exceed the historical 75% voter turnout in the 2016 election.

Secretary of State William F. Galvin said more will be known about the expected high turnout in the next week as early voting began Saturday and will continue through Oct. 30.

“I’m hopeful. It seems the level of interest is there,” Galvin said in a telephone interview last week. “We had 3.3 million votes in 2016. It seems we will exceed that. We’ve seen a continuing rising number of people registering to vote.”

The historical voter turnout — expected as well in some other parts of the country and driven by the hotly contested presidential race — is also the result of a massive expansion of mail-in voting due to concerns about crowded polling places during the coronavirus pandemic."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
When I talked with Town Clerk Nancy Danello at FHS on Monday, over 1,400 had already been to early vote on Sat-Sun and mid-day Monday. Over 12,000 mail ballots were sent out to registered Franklin voters.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 24.  Visit the Town Clerk page for office hours to register in person  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk  or register online  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm

 

the early voting schedule for Franklin
the early voting schedule for Franklin

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

In the News: "The system isn’t broken right now"

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Question 2 on the Tuesday, Nov. 3 ballot asks the Massachusetts electorate to adopt ranked-choice voting for nearly all federal and state races — excluding U.S. president — that result in a single winner.

A “yes” vote on the binding referendum supports replacing the plurality-voting system in place with ranked choice voting. A “no” vote opposes changing the existing plurality voting.

If Question 2 passes, ranked-choice voting would be implemented for the primary and general elections in 2022. It would come into play when three or more candidates compete in a single-seat election.

Yes on 2 proponents pitch ranked-choice as a remedy to plurality-voting problems — chiefly split voting and spoiler candidates — in crowded Massachusetts elections."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

I am still not convinced of the proposed benefits for ranked choice voting. If I were to schedule a Zoom conference bridge to talk through the pros and cons would you be interested? It wouldn't be recorded, but we (whomever shows up) could discuss this topic. Let me know if you are interested via email or comment.


The Franklin Community Voting Guide for November 2020 is ready for your use to prepare to vote.

In the News: "The system isn’t broken right now"
In the News: "The system isn’t broken right now"