Center for Public Integrity: Massachusetts widens early and mail voting, but local disparities persist

Voting rights advocates in Massachusetts are celebrating a series of pandemic-era measures made permanent in June, but obstacles remain that disproportionately affect Black and Latino voters.

The VOTES Act, a voting reform law, expands early voting and no-excuse absentee voting. It was proposed by a Democratic-controlled legislature and signed into law by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker on June 22.  …

However, officials in each municipality determine the number and location of early voting sites and absentee ballot drop boxes. That can mean less access in less wealthy communities, disproportionately making early voting less flexible for voters of color and leading to longer lines at the polls that can end up turning some away.

“In the past, some cities have had multiple locations and tried to engage voters where they’re at, while other towns have smaller staff and differing capacity,” said Geoff Foster, executive director at Common Cause Massachusetts. “Because these things vary across the state, voters need to check in with their local city clerks.” …

Left out of the VOTES Act was something advocates say could remove a major barrier for lower-income people in Massachusetts: same-day voter registration.

“Lower-income voters and voters of color are oftentimes in areas with higher rates of renters, and folks might live in the same municipality but move from one precinct to another without knowing they have to update that when they move,” Foster said.

These voters may arrive to cast their ballots on Election Day, only to be turned away.

“They might find they’re inactive voters or they went to the wrong location,” Foster said. “We consider same-day registration unfinished business.” …

Voting by mail doesn’t solve the problem either, said Foster.

“What we saw in 2020 when vote by mail was first offered in Massachusetts, is that it was utilized at higher rates in white and wealthy municipalities,” Foster said. “There are many different reasons for that, one being how election officials were communicating about new voting options to the public.” …

Though the state has expanded voting access, Foster said there is a lack of knowledge about the new options, which fuels disparities. No-excuse absentee voting and early voting are no good unless people know about them.

“There has been a good attempt made to make sure outreach materials are provided in languages that aren’t English, but there is still a gap in outreach and education,” Foster said.