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ACTION ALERT
LWVM ACTION ALERT: URGE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO SUPPORT VOTING RIGHTS AND VOTER
CONFIDENCE BILL (S.2277)
BILL AWAITING HOUSE VOTE THIS WEEK
Please contact your STATE REPRESENTATIVE right away urging them to support the
“Strengthening
Voting Rights and Voter Confidence” bill, S.2277.
This legislation was drafted
by the League and is supported by Secretary of the Commonwealth William F.
Galvin, as well as the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Election Laws, Senator
Edward Augustus and Representative Anthony Petruccelli. The bill passed
overwhelmingly in the Senate in November 2005, and now awaits House passage.
This bill fulfills three key promises of the Empowering Voters Project advocacy
agenda:
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Providing a Voters’ Bill of Rights
The legislation requires
that Secretary of the Commonwealth provide a Voters’ Bill of Rights at every
polling place, on the Secretary
of Commonwealth’s website, and
in appropriate publications of the Secretary of Commonwealth.
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In the 2004 election, the
Voters’ Bill of Rights, drafted by the League and signed by Governor Romney
and Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, and adopted as a
Resolution, “Recognizing the Massachusetts Voters’ Bill of Rights,” by the
Legislature, was voluntarily distributed by the Secretary of the
Commonwealth.
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Currently six states
(California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota and Nevada) have laws
requiring the posting of a Voters’ Bill of Rights in every polling place.
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Expanding the Pool of Poll Workers
The legislation removes the
restriction that poll workers must live in that city or town and enable cities
and towns to hire poll workers who live in another Massachusetts city or town.
Also, the legislation enables people ages 16 and 17 to serve as poll workers,
provided they satisfy certain requirements.
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The National Council of
State Legislatures Elections Reform Task Force reports that only 17 states,
including Massachusetts, require that poll workers be registered in the
community where they work.
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At least 31 states allow
students ages 16 and 17 to serve as poll workers if they meet certain
criteria. According to the Elections Assistance Commission, the average age
of a poll worker today is 72.
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Ensuring the Continuing Impartiality of Administration of Elections
The legislation prohibits
elections officials from serving as campaign chair or co-chair, or treasurer
for any campaign other than their own.
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Elections officials in
states across the nation have faced allegations of election fraud and a
perception of impropriety. Some of these allegations revolve around the
excessive involvement in political campaigns.
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In 2001, Georgia passed a
law that prevents its Secretary of State from serving on a campaign in any
fiduciary capacity. A newly formed federal voting commission is examining
problems in Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri.
The position paper, with the bill text and list of supporters, can be found at:
www.lwvma.org/PositionPapers/S2277.shtml.
Find the
name and contact info for your state rep here:
www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm.
The League of Women Voters
encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government,
works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences
public policy through education and advocacy.
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