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Baker Signs Massachusetts Vote By Mail Bill Into Law

BOSTON (CBS/AP) -- Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a vote by mail bill into law, Secretary of State Bill Galvin announced Monday. This is the first time in Massachusetts history that all eligible residents will have the opportunity to vote early and by mail in both the state primary and general election.

Early voting for the state primary will happen between August 22 - August 28. In-person early voting for the November general election will be held from October 17 to October 30.

Galvin said his office "is moving forward immediately to implement a new law that will allow all registered voters in Massachusetts to vote by mail this fall, with no excuse necessary.'

There has already been a hiccup though. "As part of this legislation, the legislature has insisted on me providing a mailing to every registered voter. That mailing under the legislation is required to be put out by the 15th of July. Given the fact that there is no funding for the mailing at the present time, it will obviously be later than that. Nevertheless, we will have the mailing available to voters which will allow them to return to their local election clerks and registers the application to vote by mail," Galvin said.

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The bill expands voting options amid the coronavirus pandemic. In-person voting will be expanded to reduce crowding at the polls, and there will also be expanded absentee ballot access.

 More information about voting can be found at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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