MBTA board members would not be compensated for the position, but they could seek reimbursement for up to $6,000 in travel and other related expenses each year. In its version of the supplemental budget, the House voted to make mail-in voting and expanded early voting permanent but only in even-year state primaries, general elections and municipal elections that fall on the same day. Cities and towns would again be able to offer early voting starting no sooner than 10 days before an election, and they could also opt out of the mail-in voting process for local elections if they choose. Many mayoral candidates in Boston's Sept. 14 preliminary election and Nov. 2 general election backed no-excuse mail-in voting and had called on Beacon Hill to make mail-in voting possible, as did Galvin, the state's chief elections official. Lawmakers will still need to resolve long-term questions about the role of mail-in voting, which they could choose to do as part of a broader reform package that remains before the Election Laws Committee.

Source: MetroXpress July 16, 2021 21:56 UTC