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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1373 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 425
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act for primary election reform.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Lawrence Dixon60 Lake Street Unit N, Winchester MA
01890 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1373 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 425
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 425) of Vincent
Lawrence Dixon for legislation for primary election reform. Election Laws.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 479 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act for primary election reform.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the
2 following new chapter:
3 An Act for Primary Election Reform.
4 1.) The regular Primary Election Day for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall be
5the third Tuesday of May.
6 2.) It is in the interest of public policy, and fair, informed elections, that the General
7Election campaign be, and have the opportunity to,
8 develop over a sustained period of time. 2 of 2
9 3.) Therefore, the practices of many states, have Primaries before the Summer Season,
10and General Elections in the Fall Season, and this is the intent of this legislation, hoping that it
11may increase turnout, and public engagement, in both the primaries, and general elections.
12 4.) The Secretary of the Commonwealth, as the Chief Election Officer, shall have the full
13powers to establish such needed rules, and regulations regarding all elections, as is normal
14practice, that will apply to this May Primary Election Day; including Absentee Ballots,
15 Early Voting, Mail-In, and other appropriate provisions.