More Massachusetts voters will have the option this year to vote from the comfort of their homes in the upcoming primary and general elections.
That’s because earlier this month, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill that allows all registered voters in Massachusetts the option to vote by mail in the primary and general elections this fall — no excuse required.
Previously, residents could only cast ballots by mail if absences, a physical disability or religious beliefs prevented them from voting at their polling place.
The bill requires an application to vote by mail be sent to everyone in the state who was registered to vote prior to July 1.
According to the legislation, the idea is to give voters more options in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s providing the voters with options of how they feel is best for them to vote, whether it’s by mail, or obviously, they can still come in person,” said Athol Town Clerk Nancy Burnham. “I support whatever the voter chooses, whatever they feel is safest for them to vote.”
In a number of local elections this past spring, clerks saw a higher than usual percentage of voters opting to vote early or by absentee as residents tried to avoid large crowds.
In Conway’s local election in June, 21 percent of votes came from residents who either voted absentee or by early ballot — a “much higher” percentage than past elections, according to Town Clerk Laurie Lucier.
Lucier said she expects the new law will motivate voters who may have felt uncomfortable going to the polls to instead vote by mail.
“I would definitely encourage they vote by mail rather than not at all,” she said.
Lucier noted that the state’s initiative means more work for clerks like herself, who now have the added responsibilities of more paperwork, more data entry and additional postage. On Tuesday, Lucier received her first round of postcards.
“I’ve already started the process,” she said. “I haven’t mailed out packages yet because it’s a little early, but I’ve started the data entry.”
Kathy Scott, the city clerk of Greenfield, said the expected the volume of people who will vote by mail will also increase her office’s workload.
“We’ll have more applications, more ballots we’ll be putting out through the mail, and more ballots we’ll be receiving through the mail,” she said.
Still, she and Lucier are encouraging all voters to exercise their right to vote.
“It is 100 percent their choice and I encourage them to … participate however they choose,” Scott said, whether that’s in person or by mail.
The state is mailing applications to all registered voters. For those who do wish to vote by mail, the application deadline for the state primary is Aug. 26, and the deadline for state election Oct. 28. The application permits voters to check off both elections.
“If they’re going to vote by mail,” Scott said, “get the application in as early as possible.”
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263. Twitter: @MaryEByrne