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HD 712

An Act to consolidate ballot request notifications

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

The bill would replace multiple election-specific ballots with a single annual mailing by Feb 15 that explains how to request mail-in or absentee ballots for any election that year

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Bill Summary · HD 712

Bill Summary: An Act to consolidate ballot request notifications (HD 712)

Overview

HD 712, titled “An Act to consolidate ballot request notifications,” is a proposed Massachusetts bill introduced in the 2025-2026 legislative session. The bill would reorganize how voters are notified about how to request mail-in or absentee ballots, by requiring a single annual mailing and limiting additional election-specific mailings.

Purpose

  • Centralize and simplify communications to registered voters about ballot request options.
  • Ensure voters know how to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for any election within the calendar year.
  • Reduce scattered or redundant election-specific mailings.

Key Provisions

1) Annual voter mailing by Feb 15
- The Secretary of the Commonwealth must annually mail to all registered voters no later than February 15.
- The mailing must include:
- Information on how to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for any election scheduled in that calendar year.
- Instructions for submitting a ballot request online, by phone, or by mail.

2) Limitation on additional mailings
- The Secretary may not send additional mailings regarding ballot requests for individual elections within the same calendar year unless required by federal law.

3) Effective date
- The act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Registered voters in the Commonwealth will receive the annual ballot-request information.
  • The Secretary of the Commonwealth ( Election Department/Division) is responsible for preparing and mailing the annual notification.
  • Election administration practices may shift away from multiple election-by-election mailings toward a single annual communication.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Filing status: Introduced in the 2025-2026 General Court session as House Docket No. 712; presented by Rep. Kelly W. Pease (Westfield).
  • Annual mailing deadline: February 15 each year.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon passage (operational once enacted).

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Administrative: Potential cost savings from reduced targeted mailings; streamlined voter communications.
  • Voter accessibility: One comprehensive annual notice may improve clarity but could miss timely reminders for very late-breaking election changes unless federal law requires additional notices.
  • Compliance: Requires the Secretary to coordinate content (how to request ballots and submission methods) and ensure the information remains current for all elections within the year.
  • Contingencies: The bill allows for federal-law-mandated mailings to override the prohibition on additional mailings.

This summary focuses on the bill’s substantive changes to ballot-request communications, who is affected, and the timing implications for implementation.

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

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