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  • In the news on voting reforms

    On Wednesday, June 8, we were quoted in State House News Service discussing the VOTES Act. Read the story on the State House News Services' website here.

  • In the news on voting rights

    On June 2, 2022, our Letter to the Editor was published in the Boston Globe. Read it on the Boston Globe's website here.

  • In the news on voting policy

    On April 27, 2022, we were featured in Boston.com. Read the story at Boston.com's website here.

  • In the news on voting reform

    On April 8, 2022, we were featured in the Daily News of Newburyport. Read the story at the Daily News of Newburyport's website.

  • In the news on voting reform

    On April 7, 2022, we were mentioned in the State House News Service. You can read the story on the State House News Service's website here.

  • In the news on voting reform

    On February 22, 2022 we were featured in the Eagle-Tribune discussing election day voter registration. Find the story on the Eagle Tribune's website here.

  • In the news on voting reform

    On February 16, 2022, we were featured alongside our allies from the Election Modernization Coalition in the Bay State Banner. Read the story at the Bay State Banner's website here.

  • In the news on voting reform

    On February 14, 2021, we were featured in the State House News Service discussing election day voter registration. Read the story at the State House News Service's website here.

  • Update: Election Day Registration

    February 17, 2022: Late last month, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted in favor of the VOTES Act, pledging their support to making permanent critical electoral reforms like mail-in and early in-person voting. However, the House chose to leave out one paramount reform: Election Day Registration (EDR). Now, because the House and Senate versions of the VOTES Act differ, a small group of legislators are finalizing the bill in conference committee. While this is a disappointing development, the fight for EDR is far from over. For over a decade, MassVOTE has supported EDR, and we will support it for as many decades as we must. This is because it is a policy proven to make our elections more equitable and efficient. By reducing voter registration barriers, EDR is shown to boost voter turnout for all, especially Black and brown, low income, immigrant, and young voters. It also decreases administrative burdens of running elections by allowing election workers to update registration information on the spot. We have only emphasized our support for EDR since the House's vote last month. In just the past few weeks, we joined GBH's Basic Black to discuss this policy. Our opinion piece was also featured in the Boston Globe. Additionally, we joined our partners in the Election Modernization Coalition for a press conference in support of EDR at the State House. As we continue to make our voice heard on EDR, we ask for your support by doing so too. Click here to contact your state representative NOW and urge them to include EDR in the final version of the VOTES Act. By doing so, you'll help make our democracy a more equitable and efficient one.

  • In the news on voting reform

    On Thursday, February 10, our piece in support of election day registration was featured in the Boston Globe. Read the piece at the Boston Globe's website here.

  • BREAKING: OUR NEW ELECTION REPORT

    February 9, 2022: Today, we are proud to share with you our new report, “Reinvigorating Our Democracy: Understanding Local Elections and How Massachusetts May Increase Municipal Voter Turnout”. In response to the low voter turnout that cities and towns across Massachusetts experienced throughout the 2021 election cycle, we aimed to understand why turnout was so low, and what could be done about it. To address this, and more, the report is broken into four sections. Section One analyzes the significance of local elections, detailing how municipal governments hold immense power over issues that impact residents’ daily lives, such as education and housing. Section Two digs into the history of local election turnout, revealing that local election turnout rates across Massachusetts were dramatically higher throughout the 20th century than compared to now. Section Three discusses why local election turnout has fallen so dramatically, arguing that the decline in local media outlets that connect residents to their community in a substantive, meaningful way is primarily to blame. Section Four suggests that, to most effectively boost local election turnout, all Massachusetts municipalities move local elections to even-numbered years. We researched, wrote, and published this report because these continually low, tragic voter turnout rates in local elections are unacceptable. From Boston to Brockton, Fall River to Framingham, a mere third of voters (or less) decided who would lead their communities, making critical decisions on subjects like education and housing. We cannot and should not accept this as the status quo. Consequently, we are urging all applicable Massachusetts communities to shift to holding municipal elections on even-numbered years. Doing so will reinvigorate care and investment in local elections, and ultimately, our own communities. We are sharing this report with state and local elected officials from across Massachusetts. Now, we are proud to share it with you. Read it now by clicking here.

  • IN THE NEWS: Preserving and expanding voting rights during an era of suppression

    On February 4, 2022, we were featured on the GBH program Basic Black. We joined other advocates in making clear the need for voting rights reform at the state and national level. Watch the full episode here.

  • IN THE NEWS: Mass. House advances bill to make no-excuse mail voting permanent

    On January 26, 2022, we were featured in the Boston Globe discussing the VOTES Act and same day voter registration. Read the full story here.

  • IN THE NEWS: Same-day voter registration reform left out of House voting bill

    On January 26, 2022, we were featured in State House News Service on the VOTES Act and same day registration. Read the full story here.

  • IN THE NEWS: Watch: How does Massachusetts stack up when it comes to voting rights?

    On January 21, 2022, we were featured on GBH's Talking Politics, where we discussed the state of voting rights in Massachusetts. Watch the full episode here.

  • IN THE NEWS: Registration reform advocates apply pressure in House

    On January 24, 2021, we were featured in the State House News Service discussing same day voter registration and the VOTES Act. Read the full story here.

  • Please Welcome Vanessa Snow!

    January 20, 2022: Please give a warm welcome to Vanessa Snow, MassVOTE's new Policy and Organizing Director! Ms. Snow is a long-time activist from Boston. She brings decades of experience in labor, community, and youth organizing and advocacy. A UMass Amherst alum, Ms. Snow has previously served at organizations including SEIU Local 509, the Greater Boston Labor Council, and the Hyde Square Task Force. Additionally, Ms. Snow is the board chair of Zero Debt MA, a board member of Student Immigrant Movement, a member of the Mijente National Leadership Circle, and a member of Right to the City Vote’s steering committee. “Civic engagement and voter mobilization are important tools in achieving real change to people's lives," said Ms. Snow. "I am looking forward to organizing and advocating for policies that protect and expand voting rights across the state of Massachusetts.” Ms. Snow has already started digging into policies critical to MassVOTE's mission, such as the VOTES Act, the FARE Act, and jail-based voting reform. You can reach her at vsnow@massvote.org. We are thrilled to have her on board, and know she will accomplish much with MassVOTE!

  • IN THE NEWS: Election year dawning with primary date in flux

    On December 29, 2021, we were featured in State House News Service discussing steps Massachusetts may take to strengthen voting rights. Read the story here.

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