{"id":2140,"date":"2025-09-16T17:11:34","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T21:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/massachusetts\/?post_type=press&p=2140"},"modified":"2025-09-16T17:11:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T21:11:34","slug":"broad-coalition-of-community-leaders-testify-for-same-day-voter-registration","status":"publish","type":"press","link":"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/massachusetts\/press\/broad-coalition-of-community-leaders-testify-for-same-day-voter-registration\/","title":{"rendered":"Broad Coalition of Community Leaders Testify for Same Day Voter Registration"},"template":"","class_list":["post-2140","press","type-press","status-publish","hentry","press_type-press-release"],"acf":{"details":{"summary":"Maine and Vermont election officials also testify to the benefits of Same Day Voter Registration for election officials and voters. ","featured_image":"","press_type":146,"authors":"","related_issues":[462],"related_work":false,"location":24},"sidebar":{"helper_enable_sidebar":false,"helper_media_contact":{"heading":"Media Contact","manually_enter_person":false,"person":"","name":"","role":"","phone":"","email":""},"helper_links_downloads":{"heading":"Links & Downloads","links":null}},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Boston,\u00a0<\/span>MA \u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>This<\/span>\u00a0National Voter Registration D<\/span>ay<\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>t<\/span>he Election Modernization Coalition (EMC)\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>a diverse group of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>s<\/span>takeholders\u00a0<\/span>testif<\/span>ied<\/span>\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span>support<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<\/span>legis<\/span>lation\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>establish<\/span>\u00a0same day voter registration in\u00a0<\/span>Massachusetts<\/span>\u00a0(<\/span>S.505<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0H. 384)<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201c<\/span><\/span>At a time when people need more power to\u00a0<\/span>defend democracy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>peacefully at the ballot box, it\u2019s more important than ever to ensure that every eligible voter who wishes to cast a ballot on Election Day is able to do so<\/span>,\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>said Geoff Foster<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>executive<\/span>\u00a0director, Common Cause Massachusetts<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>finally\u00a0<\/span>time for\u00a0<\/span>same day registration<\/span>\u00a0in Massachusetts.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellow<\/span>s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Vermont Director of Elections Se\u00e1n Sheehan<\/span><\/span>\u00a0both<\/span>\u00a0spoke to how same day registration has\u00a0<\/span>made the ballot box more accessible for the people of Maine and Vermont since it was implemented in each state<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201c<\/span>Same-day voter registration is the single greatest safety net we\u00a0<\/span>have to<\/span>\u00a0ensure every eligible voter\u00a0<\/span>is able to<\/span>\u00a0cast a ballot.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>After the implementation of same-day voter registration, Maine has consistently ranked in the top ten states for voter turnout. Indeed, in 2022 Maine ranked first in the nation in voter participation,\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>said Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201c<\/span>Since the adoption of same day registration in Vermont,\u00a0<\/span>we've<\/span>\u00a0heard positive feedback from<\/span>\u00a0both voters and<\/span>\u00a0local election officials.\u00a0<\/span>Election officials\u00a0<\/span>get\u00a0<\/span>the good feeling of being able to help people out and not\u00a0<\/span>having<\/span>\u00a0to be the bearer of\u00a0<\/span>bad news<\/span>\u00a0that eligible citizens\u00a0<\/span>can\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0vote. They can be the hero who can make someone\u2019s day and\u00a0<\/span>facilitate<\/span>\u00a0their participation in our democracy<\/span>,\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0said Vermont Director of Elections Se\u00e1n Sheehan.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Boston civic leaders stressed\u00a0<\/span>in their testimony that<\/span>\u00a0the legislature needs to act\u00a0<\/span>immediately<\/span>\u00a0to ensure Boston voters can equitably access the ballot box.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In written testimony\u00a0<\/span>submitted<\/span>\u00a0to the committee,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Boston City Council President\u00a0<\/span>Ruthzee<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Louijeune<\/span><\/span>\u00a0said,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cIn the 2024 general election, more than one-third of all rejected provisional ballots statewide came from Boston voters,\u00a0<\/span>nearly all<\/span>\u00a0of which would have been avoided with same-day registration. By allowing voters to register and cast their ballot on the same day, Massachusetts will ensure that those who move\u00a0<\/span>frequently<\/span>, those new to civic engagement, and those previously shut out of the process are finally included<\/span>.\"<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Speaking in person,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Boston City Councilor Liz Breadon<\/span><\/span>\u00a0who\u00a0<\/span>represents<\/span>\u00a0Allston and Brighton said, \u201c<\/span>It\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0clear that the current\u00a0<\/span>10-day<\/span>\u00a0registration cutoff serves as a barrier to voters\u2019 participation in Boston elections, disproportionately\u00a0<\/span>impacting<\/span>\u00a0our renters and our immigrant communities.\u00a0<\/span>With same day registration, every eligible voter would be able to cast a vote on Election Day.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

H<\/span>ealthcare professionals<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>emphasized\u00a0<\/span>that communities<\/span>\u00a0with more inclusive voting policies and greater levels of civic participation are healthier.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

\"Voting and health are deeply connected. Research consistently shows that accessible voting strengthens both democracy and community health. My patients face not just medical issues, but social challenges requiring civic solutions \u2014 especially since zip code predicts health outcomes more strongly than genetics,<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>said\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Dr. Alister Martin, MD, MPP,\u00a0<\/span>Vot<\/span>-ER founder and Massachusetts General Hospital.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

H<\/span>ousing experts<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>discussed how same day registration\u00a0<\/span>ensures populations that tend to move\u00a0<\/span>frequently<\/span>, including college students, unhoused people, and low-income families,\u00a0<\/span>can still\u00a0<\/span>participate<\/span>\u00a0in the democratic process.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201c<\/span>Everyone who is eligible to vote deserves a fair opportunity to\u00a0<\/span>participate<\/span>\u00a0in our democracy, regardless of their financial means or vulnerable housing status. Same day registration is the single best tool to make that a reality.<\/span>\u00a0Qualified voters without stable housing will no longer be penalized for the involuntary displacements they experience<\/span>,\"\u00a0<\/span><\/span>said Matt Noyes<\/span>, Director of State and Federal Advocacy at the<\/span>\u00a0C<\/span>itizens' Housing and Planning Association.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Faith\u00a0<\/span>leaders also<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>shared how same day voter registration would\u00a0<\/span>impact<\/span>\u00a0their<\/span>\u00a0communities<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201c<\/span>Immigrants and\u00a0<\/span>low-income<\/span>\u00a0residents often\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0focus on elections<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>because they have immediate, pressing concerns\u00a0<\/span>around\u00a0<\/span>housing, food, and healthcare. Without same day registration, the<\/span>ir voices are excluded.<\/span>\u00a0Same day registration is not merely a policy choice, but a moral imperative and necessary if we are to build a tru<\/span>ly inclusive and representative democracy in Massachusetts<\/span>,\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0said Pastor\u00a0<\/span>D<\/span>ieufort<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cKeke\u201d\u00a0<\/span>F<\/span>leurrisaint<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

View the full hearing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>here.<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

S. 505<\/span>H. 384 now awaits a committee vote.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

###<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_add_component","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","component_add_component":null},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_work","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","component_work":{"heading":"Work","manually_curate":false,"work":null}}]},"yoast_head":"\nBroad Coalition of Community Leaders Testify for Same Day Voter Registration - Common Cause Massachusetts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Maine and Vermont election officials also testify to the benefits of Same Day Voter Registration for election officials and voters.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/massachusetts\/press\/broad-coalition-of-community-leaders-testify-for-same-day-voter-registration\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Broad Coalition of Community Leaders Testify for Same Day Voter Registration\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Maine and Vermont election officials also testify to the benefits of Same Day Voter Registration for election officials and voters.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/massachusetts\/press\/broad-coalition-of-community-leaders-testify-for-same-day-voter-registration\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Common Cause Massachusetts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/massachusetts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sdr-hearing.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/massachusetts\/press\/broad-coalition-of-community-leaders-testify-for-same-day-voter-registration\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/massachusetts\/press\/broad-coalition-of-community-leaders-testify-for-same-day-voter-registration\/\",\"name\":\"Broad Coalition of Community Leaders Testify for Same Day Voter Registration - 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