Mass Supreme Court Says VOTES Act Does Not Violate Constitution

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled today, July 11, that the VOTES Act does not violate the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The decision means the new mail-in and early voting law signed into law by Republican Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker in June can go into effect for the September 6 primary.

Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Jim Lyons said he plans to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The new law makes “no excuse” mail-in ballots and early voting permanent options in Massachusetts elections.

The state Republican Party said the expansion of mail-in and early voting during the pandemic was only meant to be temporary.