Massachusetts 194th General Court Status: Introduced 1 D cosponsors

H823 — An Act relative to election emergencies

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 194th General Court. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

In plain language

The bill addresses procedures for handling election emergencies.

This bill establishes protocols for managing emergencies that affect elections. It seeks to ensure that elections can be conducted fairly and securely even in challenging situations.

Summary

An Act relative to election emergencies

Bill Text

  • Full text Current

How this bill changes current law

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The bill adds provisions for the postponement and extension of qualifying periods and elections during a state of emergency.

  • Chapter 54

    62A. Postponement and extension of qualifying periods for elections for public office during state of emergency; Procedures for the Orderly Administration of Elections; Limitations. Section 62A. (a) The state secretary shall have the authority to regulate elections in emergency situations, including when the governor declares a state of emergency or a federal agency declares a state of emergency or disaster exists. Such authorization shall include, but not be limited to: (1) Postponing or extending the qualifying periods provided in this chapter for the qualification of candidates seeking municipal, county, or state-wide office; and (2) Postponing the date of any primary, special primary, preliminary, election, or special election in the affected area; and (3) Providing for procedures for the orderly conduct elections; and (4) In the case of municipal elections, postponing or suspending such local election, including a preliminary, after consultation with local election officials. Any such postponement or extension shall not exceed 45 days. (b) The secretary of the commonwealth shall adopt, by rule or regulation, an elections emergency contingency plan, which shall contain goals and policies that give specific direction to state and local elections officials when an election has been suspended or delayed due to an emergency or alternate voting procedures are necessary. The contingency plan shall address, but not be limited to, the following concerns: (1) Providing a procedure for state and local elections officials to follow when an election has been suspended or delayed to ensure notice of the suspension or delay to the proper authorities, the electorate, the communications media, poll workers, and the custodians of polling places. Providing a procedure for the release and certification of election returns and documents relating to the election to the secretary’s office for elections suspended or delayed and subsequently rescheduled under the provisions this section.

    This establishes new rules for managing elections during emergencies, including extending candidate qualification periods and postponing elections.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 203 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (203)

203 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

elections
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does H823 do?
An Act relative to election emergencies
Who sponsors H823?
H823 is sponsored by Paul J. Donato (Democrat).
What is the current status of H823?
This bill died with 194th General Court. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track H823?
Track H823 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 4 months ago · updated continuously

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