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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2103 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 800
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Bruce J. Ayers
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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 assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Bruce J. Ayers1st Norfolk1/15/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2103 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 800
By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 800) of Bruce J.
Ayers for legislation to ensure that polling places are accessible to handicapped and elderly
voters. Election Laws.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 657 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters.
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. Chapter 10 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
2section 35W the following new section: —
3 Section 35X. There is hereby established on the books of the commonwealth a separate
4fund known as the Polling Location Accessibility Fund, to promote improved involvement in the
5electoral process by physically-challenged and elderly individuals. Said fund shall consist of all
6monies appropriated therefore in each fiscal year and any funds donated to the commonwealth
7and designated for this purpose. All monies appropriated to said fund shall be made available for
8distribution upon appropriation. 2 of 3
9 All revenues credited under this section shall remain in said Polling Location
10Accessibility Fund to assist cities and towns of the commonwealth in paying all or part of any
11costs associated with local initiatives to improve the physical condition of polling locations that
12may contain obstacles to access, or impediments to movement for elderly and physically-
13challenged residents wishing to vote. Said fund may also be distributed to fund all or part of the
14costs associated with programs designed to increase the number of overall percentage of elderly
15and physically-challenged voters casting ballots at a state or federal election. All grants from this
16fund shall be made on a competitive basis pursuant to rules and regulations published by the
17office of the state secretary and all monetary awards shall be granted only at the discretion of the
18state secretary.
19 The state treasurer shall deposit the fund in such a manner that will secure the highest
20interest rate available consistent with the safety of the fund and the requirement that all amounts
21on deposit be available for immediate withdrawal. All monies appropriated to said fund but
22unexpended at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain
23designated within said fund and be available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years for use
24consistent with this section. The fund shall be expended only for the purposes herein stated at the
25direction of the state secretary.
26 SECTION 2. Chapter 54 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
27section 10 the following new section: —Section 10A: The state secretary is hereby authorized
28and directed to establish a grant program for the purpose of assisting cities and towns in paying
29all or part of any costs associated with local initiatives to improve the physical condition of
30polling locations that may contain obstacles to access, or impediments to movement for elderly
31and physically-challenged residents wishing to vote. Grants made pursuant to this section shall 3 of 3
32include but not be limited to the substantial alteration and remodeling of a polling location for
33the specific purpose of better accommodating elderly and physically-challenged residents
34exercising their right to vote on election day. The state secretary may also make grants to
35increase the number or overall percentage of elderly and physically-challenged voters casting
36ballots at a state or federal election. All grants from this fund shall be made on a competitive
37basis pursuant to rules and regulations published by the office of the state secretary and all
38monetary awards shall be granted only at the discretion of the state secretary subject to available
39appropriations in the Polling Location Accessibility Fund established pursuant to section 35R of
40chapter 10 of the General Laws.