The Massachusetts House has approved a supplemental budget that includes money to reimburse cities and towns for the costs of having early voting for the first time in 2016.
State Auditor Suzanne Bump determined in 2017 that the state’s early voting law constituted an unfunded mandate. Earlier this year, her office certified that the state owed almost $1.064,000 to municipalities for the 11 days of early voting in 2016 when more than 1 million votes were cast.
" Early voting really was a success and we want to be able to see it continue," said Bump.
Massachusetts will again have early voting prior Election Day this November.
Secretary of State Bill Galvin plans to ask the legislature to authorize and fund the first- ever early voting for a state primary election this year.
