May 17, 2021: We've got some breaking news: in just two days - Wednesday, May 19 at 1 PM - the state's Joint Committee on Election Laws will hold a hearing on the VOTES Act (H.805 and S.459). As a reminder, the VOTES Act is one of our major legislative priorities. The bill calls for permanent mail-in voting as well as early in-person voting. It would also implement same day voter registration, and break down barriers that unjustly prevent eligible incarcerated citizens from casting ballots.
We're sharing this huge news with you because hearings are one of the most important steps in the legislative process. During this hearing, Massachusetts residents will be able to speak directly to the 17 state representatives and senators considering the VOTES Act. If the committee reports the bill out favorably (supports it), then the bill has a high chance of passing. Yet if the committee reports it out adversely (opposes it), then the bill is virtually dead.
We need to do absolutely everything we can to convince the committee to support the VOTES Act. But we must do it together.
If you want to speak at the hearing, you have until TONIGHT AT 8 PM to sign up on this webpage. You can also submit written testimony to michaela.gaziano@masenate.gov and sean.getchell@mahouse.gov until 8 PM on this Friday the 21st at 5 PM.
Whether you choose to speak at the hearing or submit written testimony, it's critical that you have your voice heard. Legislators need to know why voting matters to you, and why reforms like vote by mail matter to you. To better inform your testimony, you can review this briefing of the VOTES Act.
If you need any assistance in writing your testimony, simply reply to this email, or contact Alex Psilakis, our Policy and Communications Manager, at apsilakis@massvote.org.
- All of us at MassVOTE
