Associated Press: Massachusetts’ highest court upholds new mail-in voting law

BOSTON (AP) — An effort led by Massachusetts Republicans to block election officials from putting into effect the state’s new mail-in and early voting law was denied Monday by the state Supreme Judicial Court.

The decision ensures Massachusetts residents will be able to take advantage of the expanded voter options this year.

Opponents had argued the new law — dubbed the VOTES Act — violates the state constitution.

The bill was signed into law by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker in late June after clearing the Democrat-controlled state Legislature. State election officials have already begun readying more than 4.7 million ballot applications to send to voters by July 23 ahead of the Sept. 6 primary. …

Voting rights advocates hailed Monday’s ruling.

“Today’s decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court means that voters will be able to rely on the provisions of the VOTES Act in the upcoming elections. This is a big win for voting rights in Massachusetts,” said Geoff Foster, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts.