The Election Modernization Coalition has criticized the Lawrence City Council’s recent decision to prohibit vote-by-mail for the upcoming November 2025 municipal election. The council voted on September 19, just before a state-imposed deadline that allows cities to opt out of mail-in voting for local elections. This move comes shortly after Lawrence successfully offered mail-in ballots during its preliminary election.
In a statement, the coalition said: “The Lawrence City Council’s decision to opt out of vote by mail for the 2025 municipal election is a step backward for voter access and a frustrating move for many residents who rely on securely voting by mail. Communities of color already face disproportionate barriers to voting, and this action only makes things worse. This decision was made with little public input, and such a last-minute change only adds confusion and undermines confidence in the election process. The council should commit to consistent, transparent election policies that allow all voters to easily and securely cast their ballots.”
The Election Modernization Coalition is composed of several organizations including the ACLU of Massachusetts, Common Cause Massachusetts, Disability Law Center of MA, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, Lawyers for Civil Rights, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, MassVOTE, Massachusetts Voter Table, MASSPIRG, and the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.
More information about the coalition can be found at www.votingrightsma.org.
