Massachusetts S 536: An Act relative to accountability for defective and spoiled ballots.

Bill Text

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2418        FILED ON: 1/17/2025 
SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 536 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
_________________ 
PRESENTED BY: 
Bruce E. Tarr 
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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 relative to accountability for defective and spoiled ballots.. 
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PETITION OF: 
 
NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS:  
Bruce E. Tarr First Essex and Middlesex  
Peter J. Durant Worcester and Hampshire 3/17/2025 

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2418        FILED ON: 1/17/2025 
SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 536 
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 536) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation 
relative to accountability for defective and spoiled ballots..  Election Laws. 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
 
_______________
 
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court 
(2025-2026) 
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An Act relative to accountability for defective and spoiled ballots.. 
 
 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: Section 105 of Chapter 54 of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby 
2amended by inserting at the end the following:-- " A record of the number of ballots so marked 
3shall be recorded. If any ballots so marked are subsequently counted, the reasons therefore shall 
4be documented and available for public inspection." 
5 Section 2: Section 81 of Chapter 54 of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby 
6amended by inserting at the end the following:-- "The number of ballots so marked shall be 
7recorded. The number of any ballots so marked that are subsequently counted shall be recorded, 
8and the reasons, therefore, shall be documented and available for public inspection."