Should Mass. keep mail-in voting?
Should Mass. Share Shares Copy Link Copy  Hide Transcript Show Transcript  REPORTER: THE MASSACHUSETTS SECRETARY OF STATE IS SOUNDING THE ALA.RM HE SAYS, UNLESS LAWMAKERS ACT QUICKLY, VOTE BY MAIL IS IN JEOPARDY FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS THIS FALL. VOTE BY MAIL ON THE VERGE OF EXPIRING IN MASSACHUSES.TT NOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE PUSHING LAWMAKERS TO KEEP IT. >> AT THIS POINT WITHOUT ACTION, VOTERS ARE GOINGO LBE TEFT OUT. SHARMAN: HE SENT THIS LETTER TO THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT, URGING THEM TO KEEP VOTE BY MARO FILM EXPIRING ON JUNE 30. HE SAYS NEARLY TWO DOZEN PRELIMINARY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER COULD BE AFFECTED, INCLUDING IN BOSTON, BROCKTON, FRAMINGHAM, QUINCY AND WORCESTER. >> I THINK THERES A NEED FOR URGENT ACTION. WERE NOW LESS THAN 90 DAYS FOR THE BOSTON PRELIMINARY ELECTION FOR MAYOR AND A NUMBER OF OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE PRELIMINARY ELECTIONS. SHARMAN: BOTH THE SENATE AND HOUSE HAVE PASSED THEIR OWN VERSIONS OF VOTE BY MAIL B SUTO FAR NO FINAL BILL. >> I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY WERE GOING TO HAVE A GREON LATG TERM BILL AND A SHORT TERM SOLUTION THATS GOING TOOR WK FOR EVERYONE. SHARMAN: STATE SENATOR BARRY FINEGOLD SPONSORED THE ORIGINAL VOTE BY MAIL BILL. HE SAYS LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING ON SOMETHING MORE PERMANTNE. >> WE DO WANT A BILL THAT LONG TERM IF LOCAL COMMUNITIES WANT TO VOTE BY MAIL, THEY NEEDO T PAY FOR IT. ITS SOMETHING WE IN THE STEAT CANNOT PAY FOREVER. SHARMAN: IN A STATEMENT, THE HOUSE SPEAKER SAYS HES LOOKING FORWARD TO MAKING VOTE BY MAIL PERMANENT IN MASSACHUSETTS. SECRETARY GALVIN SAYS LOCAL ELECTIONS OFFICIALS NEED TIME TO PLAN AND THE CLOCKS TICKG.IN >> IN ORDER TO ALLOW VOTERS THE MAXIMUM OPPORTUNITY TO MEAK DECISIONS, IT HAS TO BE DONE NOW. SHARMAN: GOVERNOR BAKER HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF VOTE BY MAIL IN THE PAST. HIS OFFICE SAYS HE WILL REVIEW ANY BILL THAT COMES TO HIS D  GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Submit Privacy Notice