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H 859

An Act to consolidate ballot request notifications

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kelly Pease

Requires one annual voter mailing detailing mail-in/absentee ballot requests and methods, and bans extra election-specific mailings in the same year.

Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-1
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Bill Summary · H 859

Summary of House Bill H.859: An Act to consolidate ballot request notifications

Overview

  • Bill: H.859 (House No. 859), introduced by Rep. Kelly W. Pease (4th Hampden)
  • Title: An Act to consolidate ballot request notifications
  • Purpose: To consolidate and standardize communications about ballot requests by requiring an annual voter mailing and limiting additional election-specific mailings
  • Status: Hearing scheduled for June 17, 2025 (01:00 PM – 05:00 PM, in B-1)
  • Legislative timeline:
    • Filed: January 12, 2025
    • Introduced in the 194th General Court (2025-2026)
    • Referred to the Committee on Election Laws (February 27, 2025)
    • Senate concurred (February 27, 2025)

What the bill would do

  • Annual mailing by Feb 15 to all registered voters
    • Content must include:
    • How to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for any election in the calendar year
    • Instructions for submitting ballot requests online, by phone, or by mail
  • Restriction on additional mailings
    • The Secretary of the Commonwealth would not be permitted to send further ballot-request mailings for individual elections within the same calendar year, unless federal law requires otherwise
  • Effective date
    • The act takes effect immediately upon passage

Key provisions in plain language

  • Section 1: Establishes a single annual notification to voters detailing ballot-request options and submission methods (online, phone, mail) for all elections in the year.
  • Section 2: Limits the Secretary of the Commonwealth from issuing extra mailings about ballot requests for individual elections in that year, reducing potentially duplicative communications.
  • Section 3: Immediate effectiveness upon enactment.

Who and what is affected

  • Affected: All registered voters in Massachusetts (recipient of the annual mailing)
  • Responsible office: Secretary of the Commonwealth (Elections Division) for producing and distributing the annual mailing
  • Parties benefiting: Voters receiving a single, consolidated source of information; state election administration aiming for streamlined communications

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Schedule: Hearing set for June 17, 2025 (01:00 PM–05:00 PM) in B-1
  • Current stage: Referred to the Committee on Election Laws; awaiting committee action and potential floor consideration
  • Related bill note: Related mention of HD 712 (replaces) in related bills

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Positive: Standardizes voter information, potentially improves accessibility and consistency; may reduce voter confusion from multiple election-specific mailings.
  • Administrative: Shifts responsibility to the annual mailing cycle; requires timely planning by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
  • Legal: Section 2 contemplates federal law requirements; if federal mandates require additional mailings, they would override the restriction.

This bill would streamline ballot-request communications while ensuring voters receive clear information each year on how to request mail-in or absentee ballots.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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