Today Governor Deval Patrick signed into law significant reforms to modernize our elections and expand voting rights here in Massachusetts. For the first time in decades Massachusetts can now call itself a national leader in ensuring free, … [Read more...]
Say hello to the first Super PAC ad in the governor’s race
This past weekend voters in Massachusetts were exposed to the first negative TV attack ad of the still young 2014 state election season. The ad was paid for by the state independent expenditure PAC (i.e. Super PAC) of the National … [Read more...]
Another election flooded by dark money? Let’s hope not
Super PACs are quietly forming to influence the race for governor and other state elections in 2014, and if state lawmakers don’t pass a campaign finance disclosure bill soon, these outside groups will be free to spend unlimited sums … [Read more...]
Senate overwhelmingly passes comprehensive election modernization
It was great day for election modernization and voting rights in Massachusetts yesterday. By a vote of 37 to 1, the Senate passed a comprehensive election modernization bill (S.1975) that included online voter registration and early voting … [Read more...]
Senate to vote on election modernization bill today
If you want to expand voter access in Massachusetts, now is the time to contact your state Senator. Today the Senate will take up S.1975, an election modernization bill that includes online voter registration, early voting, … [Read more...]
Online voter registration and early voting passed the House
There hasn't been much media coverage on this so far (here and here) so in case you missed it, on Wednesday night just before the House recessed, it overwhelmingly passed online voter registration and early voting, 142 to 10. These … [Read more...]
Where do MA5 Congressional candidates stand on campaign finance, voting rights, and more?
Common Cause Massachusetts asked the ten candidates in the race to fill Ed Markey’s vacated seat for Massachusetts’ fifth Congressional district seven questions covering issues of voting rights, campaign finance, and ethics. Would you … [Read more...]
Why take baby steps for election modernization when we need a giant leap?
Last week, the Joint Committee on Election Laws released a timid and disappointing election reform package. H.3647 implements online voter registration and some early voting. Conspicuously missing are provisions to require post election … [Read more...]
#MADISCLOSE Act committee hearing tomorrow
The Joint Committee on Election Laws will hear testimony on Massachusetts Disclosure Act and other important campaign finance legislation. The #MADISCLOSE Act would greatly increase disclosure in state campaign finance, particularly from … [Read more...]
The Globe is right to call for more disclosure of political spending
The Boston Globe editorial board rightly called on the Massachusetts State Legislature to “alter campaign finance laws to thwart outside spending” in elections. As the editorial board correctly notes, “spending by outside groups has … [Read more...]