New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Matt Murphy
State House News Service
Noting that the Legislature has expressed interest in addressing ballot access for candidates, U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III urged state lawmakers not to forget voters in the process and approve a vote-by-mail program for 2020. Kennedy is running in the Democratic primary against incumbent U.S. Sen. Edward Markey. He wrote a letter Saturday that was sent to all state representatives and senators.
“Every single registered voter in our Commonwealth should be mailed a ballot, guaranteeing that no one has to risk exposure to a deadly virus to exercise their right to vote,” Kennedy wrote. Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii already use vote-by-mail, and Kennedy said that New York, New Hampshire, and Maryland have taken steps to make voting easier during the pandemic.
The Senate on Monday plans to vote on a bill that would cut by half the number of signatures candidates for federal, county and Governor’s Council seats would have to collect to qualify for the ballot. Kennedy said that with the end of the pandemic uncertain and the possibility of a fall resurgence projected by some experts, passing a vote-by-mail law immediately will also assure that voters can participate in the process.
“In the age of coronavirus, no one should be forced to choose between their health and their right to vote,” he wrote.
President Donald Trump has raised concerns about fraud when discussing the possibility of a national vote-by-mail program.
Do you favor voting by mail? Comment below!
Only if its protected and fraud proof