Representative Jones’ amendment would provide more than $1
million in reimbursement to cities and towns across the Commonwealth to cover
certain costs that were incurred during the November 2016 state election
cycle. The amendment was approved
unanimously by the House of Representatives on January 31 as part of a $17.6 million supplemental budget, but still requires Senate approval and Governor Baker’s
signature before the money can be released.
“Over the past year, I have made it
a personal priority to ensure that our cities and towns receive compensation
for what was essentially a state-imposed unfunded mandate,” said Representative
Jones. “I’m hopeful the Senate will act
quickly to pass this proposal so we can deliver this funding to our communities without
any further delays.”
Enacted in 2014, the Massachusetts
early voting law allows registered voters to cast a ballot as early as 11
business days prior to election day, and up to two business days before the
election, every two years during the biennial state election. More than 1 million early votes were cast
during the 2016 election.
In February of 2017, State Auditor
Suzanne Bump ruled that some of the expenses incurred by municipalities to
implement the law constituted an unfunded mandate, and recommended that these
costs should be borne by the Commonwealth.
Last October, Representative Jones
led a successful effort to secure a $485,559 funding appropriation for early
voting reimbursements as part of the House version of the Fiscal Year 2017
final deficiency budget. Although the
final version of the bill did not contain any funding for early voting costs,
it did include language directing the state auditor to certify the costs for
each municipality and to report back to the Legislature by January 10.
On January 8, the auditor provided
the Legislature with documentation certifying a statewide total of
$1,063,978.14 in municipal costs as eligible for reimbursement. The full amount is reflected in Representative
Jones’ amendment.
The supplemental budget now moves
to the Senate for further action.
