MASS. - Voting by mail is set to expire statewide on June 30.

"Really when you look at the facts and how successful it was, it's a program we need to continue in the Commonwealth," said State Representative David LeBoeuf (D-17th Worcester).

LeBoeuf believes it makes elections more accessible and increases participation, so he supports it being made permanent.

"If you think about it, we really should be having no-fault absentee," LeBoeuf said. "But really what vote by mail does is it creates that by having an early vote by mail period." 

What You Need To Know

  • Voting by mail set to expire June 30

  • House passed amendent to make voting by mail permanent weeks ago. It now is being looked at by the state senate before going to the Gov. Charlie Baker's desk

  • Worcester saw increases in voter turnout with vote by mail in place

  • Rep. David LeBoeuf is confident Gov. Baker will sign it into law

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed an amendment extending the measure as part of the supplemental budget, and the senate is looking at it before it goes to the Governor's desk.

In Worcester, City Clerk Niko Vangjeli says the city's primary election last September had voter turnout of roughly 30% thanks to mail-in voting, compared to 15 to 20% in previous years.

"Vote by mail is certainly an operation we prepared for last year. We certainly can do it again this year. It's just a matter of cost," said Vangjeli. "Who is going to pay for it? Is it going to be the cities and towns or is it going to be some assistance from the Secretary of the Commonwealth?"

Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin says with some primaries less than 90 days away, action is needed now for planning and budgetary purposes.

Vangjeli says the vote by mail operations cost Worcester $300,000 in 2020.

"We have to budget for this," Vangjeli said. "Our city's budget was just passed last week and if we're asked to implement this by the legislature in September and November for our local elections, we have to come up with the cost."

LeBoeuf says the goal is to make voters comfortable, especially coming out of a pandemic.

"It's a helpful tool to make sure we're exercising our rights in democracy," LeBoeuf said. "So, I'm hoping it will get done by the end of the month as soon as possible."

LeBoeuf says he is confident Gov. Baker will make mail-in voting a permanent thing in the state of Massachusetts. He says it's something long overdue.