An Act for political party endorsement reform
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| Cosponsor |
|---|
| Vincent Dixon |
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J15 | Accompanied | — |
The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the following new chapter: Chapter 57A. Political Party Endorsement
An Act to permit certain political party organizational reforms, by allowing a cross-endorsement process, by which more than one political party, may endorse the same candidate, and all votes cast for that candidate, may be totaled for that particular individual.
Over many years, significant numbers of individuals have desired a greater range of choices for electing public officials, during election periods. This legislation seeks to recognize that an additional choice would be provided, by permitting coalitions of different political designations, and parties, to support, and/or not support, various candidates.
Present Massachusetts law requires independent, individual candidates by each political party, and/or independent persons. Votes presently, cannot be counted for a single individual, summed in total. In so doing, political choices are limited to certain definitions, that limit the ability of coalitions to form, that would improve voter choices.
Other states have similar provisions, and have apparently found them to be useful, and appropriate.
The Massachusetts Secretary of State, and its Elections Division, being the relevant regulator, and supervisor of elections in Massachusetts, is hereby empowered to establish appropriate regulations, by which all recognized political parties, may cross-endorse candidates of other parties, by their particular legal political process.
The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the following new chapter: Chapter 57A. Political Party Endorsement Section 1. An Act to permit certain political party organizational reforms, by allowing a cross-endorsement process, by which more than one political party, may endorse the same candidate, and all votes cast for that candidate, may be totaled for that particular individual. Section 2. Over many years, significant numbers of individuals have desired a greater range of choices for electing public officials, during election periods. This legislation seeks to recognize that an additional choice would be provided, by permitting coalitions of different political designations, and parties, to support, and/or not support, various candidates. Section 3. Present Massachusetts law requires independent, individual candidates by each political party, and/or independent persons. Votes presently, cannot be counted for a single individual, summed in total. In so doing, political choices are limited to certain definitions, that limit the ability of coalitions to form, that would improve voter choices. Section 4. Other states have similar provisions, and have apparently found them to be useful, and appropriate. Section 5. The Massachusetts Secretary of State, and its Elections Division, being the relevant regulator, and supervisor of elections in Massachusetts, is hereby empowered to establish appropriate regulations, by which all recognized political parties, may cross-endorse candidates of other parties, by their particular legal political process.