Bill > S534

This bill aims to upgrade elections infrastructure, improve voting access, and reduce municipal burden through several key provisions. The bill establishes a centralized digital system for election results reporting, allowing city and town clerks to input preliminary results that will be publicly viewable on the secretary of state's website. It introduces more flexible permanent mail voter options, allowing voters to easily request and manage their mail voting status through an online portal or by mail. The bill also expands early voting requirements, mandating specific minimum voting hours based on municipal voter population sizes and requiring municipalities to maintain secured ballot drop boxes. Additionally, the bill provides financial support to cities and towns, with the state covering 80% of early voting-related costs. The legislation creates a special commission to examine automatic voter registration processes, requires the state secretary to conduct comprehensive voter education outreach, and mandates upgrades to the central voter registration system by the end of 2025. The bill also includes provisions to modernize voting terminology, simplify ballot processes, and give more discretion to local election officials in managing voting lists and procedures.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S534