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H 842

An Act to increase the safety and security of unattended ballot boxes

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steven Howitt

Massachusetts bill requires 24-hour video surveillance for unattended ballot drop boxes, with signage, cloud or on-site storage, and at least 22-month footage retention.

Hearing scheduled for 07/08/2025 from 01:00 PM-04:00 PM in B-1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 842

Summary: H 842 — An Act to increase the safety and security of unattended ballot boxes

Overview

H 842, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Steven S. Howitt, seeks to enhance the safety and security of unattended ballot drop boxes in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The bill would insert a new provision (Section 71B) into Chapter 54 of the General Laws, requiring municipal election officials to implement around-the-clock video surveillance and related safeguards for unattended ballot boxes.

Key Provisions

  • Surveillance requirement: Every election officer in a city or town must provide 24-hour video surveillance of each unattended ballot drop box within their jurisdiction. A sign must be posted on or near each drop box indicating it is under constant surveillance.

  • Camera capabilities: Surveillance cameras may be motion-activated, must record footage, and must be operational during all types of elections.

  • Footage storage and retention: Recorded footage may be stored either in cloud storage or at a physical location determined by the city or town. Footage must be retained for a minimum of 22 months after each election it records.

Scope and Applicability

  • Applies to all unattended ballot drop boxes operated within Massachusetts municipalities.
  • The obligation falls on local election officers, defined as those responsible for administering elections in cities and towns.

Timeline and Legislative Status

  • Filed: January 14, 2025 (House Docket No. 1145, House No. 842)
  • Referral: Referred to the Committee on Election Laws on February 27, 2025.
  • Legislative actions: Senate concurred; related version is HD 1145 (replaces prior matter).
  • Hearing: Scheduled for July 8, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in room B-1.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Public safety and integrity: The measure aims to deter tampering and improve verification of ballot handling by ensuring continuous monitoring and a clear audit trail through retained video footage.
  • Costs and logistics: Municipalities would incur costs for cameras, signage, and data storage. Considerations include hardware maintenance, data security, and long-term storage infrastructure.
  • Privacy and data management: The requirement to record and retain footage raises privacy and data governance questions, including access controls and compliance with applicable privacy laws.
  • Policy alignment: The bill complements existing election laws by adding a standardized security layer for unattended ballot drop boxes.

Summary

H 842 would compel all Massachusetts municipalities to implement 24-hour surveillance and signage for unattended ballot boxes, enable continuous recording (with potential cloud or on-site storage), and mandate a minimum 22-month retention period for recorded footage. The measure highlights a focus on security, traceability, and transparency in ballot box management, with a scheduled public hearing on July 8, 2025.

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

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