Common Cause Massachusetts
Recent News About Common Cause Massachusetts
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Good government group calls for transparency in legislative rules
Traditionally, at the beginning of a new legislative session, the Massachusetts House and Senate engage in debates over new joint rules, with each chamber taking turns to go first.
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Advocacy groups criticize governor's new open meeting law proposal
The Governor has introduced the Municipal Empowerment Act, a proposal that has sparked concerns among various advocacy groups.
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Massachusetts election protection program highlights barriers faced by voters
The Massachusetts Election Protection Program Steering Committee has released a report analyzing voting conditions during the 2024 presidential election in Massachusetts.
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Massachusetts opens early voting for November elections starting October 19
Voters in Massachusetts will have the opportunity to cast their ballots early for the upcoming 2024 November election starting Saturday, October 19. The early voting period will run through Friday, November 1. Information on early voting locations and times can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.
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Common Cause Massachusetts launches volunteer-driven election protection program for November elections
Common Cause Massachusetts has initiated its 2024 Election Protection Program to assist voters in the upcoming November general election. The nonpartisan organization is seeking poll monitor volunteers to help ensure a smooth voting process in key areas.
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Massachusetts earns high marks on Common Cause's democracy scorecard
Common Cause, a nonpartisan watchdog organization, has released its 2024 "Democracy Scorecard," evaluating every member of Congress on their support for voting rights, Supreme Court ethics, and other reforms.
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Early voter turnout shows significant increase with new voting options
Boston, MA—According to Secretary of State William Galvin, by the time polls opened at 7 a.m. this morning, nearly half a million voters (9.8% of all registered voters) had returned ballots by mail or in person. Overall turnout appears to be historically high compared to recent primary elections.
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Early voting starts August 24 for Massachusetts State Primary
Early voting begins this Saturday, August 24, for the State Primary Election in Massachusetts. This date also marks the deadline for in-person or online voter registration. According to state regulations, early voting must commence 10 days before state primary elections.
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Massachusetts enacts law banning guns at polling locations
Governor Healey has signed a new gun reform bill into law, aimed at enhancing public safety and ensuring safer elections in Massachusetts. The legislation includes a ban on guns within 150 feet of polling sites during election day and the early voting period, aligning with the existing electioneering buffer zone. This measure has been a legislative priority for Common Cause Massachusetts members.
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Massachusetts passes gun ban at polling places amidst political violence
Amidst political violence, Mass. passes gun restrictions
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Massachusetts legislature proposes gun ban at polling places
BOSTON — On Wednesday, the House and Senate budget conference committee released a compromise bill to improve gun safety in Massachusetts. The bill includes a critical ban on guns at and around polling sites and government buildings, both on election day and during the early voting period.
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Bill advances requiring hybrid meetings under Open Meeting Law
With the option to hold virtual public meetings set to expire statewide in March 2025, the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight today advanced a bill (H.4771) that would update the Open Meeting Law to require hybrid meetings. This measure aims to guarantee members of the public the ability to participate in state and municipal meetings both remotely and in person. Several advocacy organizations, including disability rights and free press groups, have expressed support for this development.
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Massachusetts Senate adopts amendment ending voting penalties
The Massachusetts Senate has adopted an amendment filed by Senator Cindy Creem in their FY25 budget aimed at making voting more accessible by eliminating the penalty for voters who do not return the municipal census. A similar amendment garnered 81 cosponsors in the House budget but was ultimately not included. The reform is now under consideration by the House and Senate budget conference committee.
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Massachusetts Senate passes voting access amendment
On May 23, 2024, the Massachusetts Senate passed an amendment aimed at making voting more accessible by ending the penalty for voters who do not return the municipal census. Senator Cindy Creem’s “Improving Voting Access” amendment is expected to be included in the final Senate budget and will be negotiated by House and Senate conferees. A similar amendment had received support from 81 cosponsors in the House but was not included in its budget.
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Advocates push for permanent hybrid access to public meetings amid pending legislation
With virtual access to public meetings set to expire on March 31, 2025, a coalition of advocates is urging for permanent reforms to ensure hybrid access remains available.
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Election Modernization Coalition comments on high voter turnout in Massachusetts primary
The Election Modernization Coalition (EMC) has long worked to eliminate barriers to voting and update the registration and ballot-casting process.
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Ruthzee Louijeune named People's Champion of Democracy by Common Cause MA
The Boston City Council President, Ruthzee Louijeune, has been recognized as the 2024 People’s Champion of Democracy by Common Cause Massachusetts.
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Municipal Empowerment Act faces scrutiny over potential barriers to meeting access
The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government is set to hold a public hearing on sections of Governor Healey’s Municipal Empowerment Act, S.2571.
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Massachusetts coalition holds town halls discussing Voting ACCESS Act
The Massachusetts Election Modernization Coalition recently conducted a series of town hall meetings in Brockton, Lawrence, and Springfield to discuss voter experiences and the Voting ACCESS Act.
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Massachusetts makes prison phone calls free statewide
Governor Maura Healey has signed a bill making Massachusetts the fifth state to provide free prison phone calls statewide, and the first to include county jails in this provision.