Press Release
Gun Ban at Polling Places Means “Voters Can Cast a Ballot Without Fear”
On Wednesday, the House and Senate budget conference committee released a compromise bill to improve gun safety in Massachusetts.
Press
Media Contacts
Geoff Foster
Executive Director
gfoster@commoncause.org
Dera Silvestre
Regional Communications Strategist
dsilvestre@commoncause.org
617-807-4032
News Clip
Commonwealth Magazine: Galvin lays out plan for mail-in voting by request
“The baseline is the same in the sense that I think all involved…want to ensure that everyone who wants to cast an absentee ballot in the fall are not blocked from doing so by our absentee laws,” said Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts.
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bill Would Expand Voting Options to Safeguard Massachusetts’ Fall Elections
“It’s crucial that all voters have the opportunity to have their voices heard in this fall’s elections,” said Common Cause Massachusetts Executive Director Pam Wilmot. “This bill provides more options for voters, so we can all vote safely and securely this fall. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Representatives Lawn and Moran in structuring these solutions and sponsoring the legislation.”
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New England Public Radio: Timetable Putting Rush On Vote-By-Mail Reforms In Massachusetts
"A range of advocacy groups including Common Cause Massachusetts, the League of Women Voters and the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts backed the Lawn and Moran bill."
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Daily Free Press: Election advocates elevate mail-in ballots as physical polling booths now pose risks
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NBC10 Boston: Mass. Secretary of State Has a Vote-by-Mail Plan for the General Election
The most effective and efficient way to vote during the pandemic is for every voting-eligible resident to receive a ballot in the mail, Pam Wilmot of Common Cause said.
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WGBH News: In the COVID-19 Era, How Will Massachusetts Vote?
Pam Wilmot, Common Cause MA’s executive director, agrees that the state should mail every voter a ballot, and make physical polling places as safe as possible. In addition, she says, the state’s approach to voter registration needs to be revisited.
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WAMC: Members Of Massachusetts House Delegation Push Vote-By-Mail For 2020 Election
Pam Wilmot, director of Common Cause Massachusetts, said having a vote-by-mail option would not preclude people from voting in person on Election Day.
"If we prepare in advance and have 70-80 percent of our voters voting by mail there is an ability, with expanded early voting especially, to have a slighly different model of in-person voting," Wilmot said.
"If we prepare in advance and have 70-80 percent of our voters voting by mail there is an ability, with expanded early voting especially, to have a slighly different model of in-person voting," Wilmot said.
Press Release
UPDATE: Emergency funding, provisions for upcoming MA Elections
"We all have obligations to democracy, even in the middle of a public health crisis, and this emergency change will make it easier for voters to have our voices heard," says Executive Director Pam Wilmot. "But this is just a first step...We look forward to working with the General Court again, in the near future, to make changes necessary for all Massachusetts voters to participate safely in the fall elections."
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Lowell Sun: Muni-Elections Bill Signed, Coalition Calls it “First Step”
Gov. Charlie Baker signed legislation allowing cities and towns to postpone municipal elections scheduled for this spring because of the coronavirus pandemic, but there are already calls for Beacon Hill to consider additional steps.
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Wicked Local Norwood: Massachusetts allows delay of local elections
"Yesterday’s bill is a strong first step. However, there is no guarantee that the coronavirus crisis will have receded by September 1, when Massachusetts state primaries are scheduled, or even for the November elections,” a press release attributed to seven voting rights groups read.“
Press Release
Voting Rights Advocates Applaud Emergency Election Legislation; Call for Additional Actions
“Yesterday's bill is a strong first step. However, there is no guarantee that the coronavirus crisis will have receded by September 1, when Massachusetts state primaries are scheduled, or even for the November elections,” the groups said. “The Election Modernization Coalition urges the Legislature to recognize that this crisis is of indeterminate length, and that we must also act quickly to ensure that the fall’s elections take place as scheduled, maximize participation, and maintain public health.
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Governing: The Census is Here and Everyone Counts: Here’s What to Do
Several local entities have been working diligently to make sure as many people as possible in Massachusetts are aware of and respond to the census.
MassCounts, a coalition comprising organizations like Massachusetts Voter Table, MIRA Coalition, Chelsea Collaborative, Mass Equity Fund, Common Cause Massachusetts, MassVote, the Chinese Progressive Association, works with community organizations to train and mobilize trusted leaders to share why the 2020 Census is safe, easy and important.
MassCounts, a coalition comprising organizations like Massachusetts Voter Table, MIRA Coalition, Chelsea Collaborative, Mass Equity Fund, Common Cause Massachusetts, MassVote, the Chinese Progressive Association, works with community organizations to train and mobilize trusted leaders to share why the 2020 Census is safe, easy and important.