Senate Majority Leader Frederick E. Berry (D-Peabody) and Representative J. Michael Ruane (D-Salem), Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, today filed legislation to grant a ten day grace period for active duty soldiers who vote by absentee ballot in city final elections.
Currently, an absentee ballot must be received by 8:00 p.m. on election day to be counted in a city final election. Berry and Ruane’s legislation would mandate that any ballot received from active duty service men and women up to ten days after a city final election be counted. Such a provision is already in place for federal and state elections.
Senator Berry and Representative Ruane filed the bill after being approached by a constituent, Richard Harrington of Salem. Mr. Harrington’s son, Andrew, is serving with the United States Army Reserves in Iraq. Mr. Harrington contacted Senator Berry and Representative Ruane because he was upset that Andrew’s absentee ballot for Salem’s preliminary municipal election was not received in time to be counted for that election.
“The right to vote is one of the foundations of our democracy,” said Senator Berry. “We should be doing everything possible to accommodate our soldiers and sailors when they vote by absentee ballot. Disenfranchisement is not another sacrifice service men and women should have to make for us.”
Representative Ruane said, “Legislation allowing our armed services personnel a ten day extension so that they may exercise their right to vote in city elections is necessary and essential. The young men and women of the armed services are overseas protecting our rights and freedoms, one of which is our right to vote. What could be more fair and just than allowing them to exercise their right to vote while serving their country?”
The Berry/Ruane legislation was filed as a late file petition. It must be admitted into both the Senate and House of Representatives before receiving a public hearing.