Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin has announced a grant program to encourage cities and towns to open a polling place on the last weekend in October during the state’s first ever early voting period.
The grants range from $250-$1,500 depending on the number of registered voters in a city or town with bonuses available for keeping longer polling hours.
City of Springfield Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola said she’ll apply for a grant to have voting at city hall on Saturday October 29th.
" Allow people to come in on a flexible schedule that day and bring their kids and make it a fun day for people to come out to early vote," said Oyola.
Cities and towns are required to offer early voting at one location during business hours for an 11- day period from Oct. 24 – Nov.4. Nights and weekends are optional.
A recent survey by voting reform advocates found 83 of the state’s 351 municipalities are planning to hold weekend early voting hours.
