By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter
BOSTON — More than two-thirds of the provisional ballots cast in the 2022 elections were rejected, according to a new report by voting access groups, which argues that the state should adopt same-day voter registration.
The analysis by the Election Modernization Coalition found that of the 2,491 provisional ballots cast in last year’s state wide election at least 64% — or 1,600 ballots — were rejected by local election clerks and not counted.
For backers of the perennial push to authorize same-day registration, the numbers are proof that the state should be doing things differently.
Cheryl Clyburn-Crawford, executive director of MassVOTE and member of the coalition, said the high number of rejected provisional ballots in the previous election “is a clear indicator that our system needs improvement.”
“Casting a vote should be a simple and accessible act for all citizens,” she said. “Same-day voter registration would not only reduce administrative obstacles, but also empower voters to participate fully in our democracy.”
The coalition sent a memo to lawmakers claiming that 99% of the rejected balance would be counted if voters were allowed to resolve registration issues on election day.
A package of bills being considered by the state Legislature, known as the Voting ACCESS Act, would authorize same-day registration and other election reforms.
Meanwhile, a proposed referendum, which was cleared by Attorney General Andrea Campbell for the 2024 elections, would ask voters to approve a plan allowing eligible citizens to register to vote at a polling place on the day of a general or primary election.
Voting access groups have been pressing for same-day voter registration for years, but the efforts have faced pushback from lawmakers.
Last year, the state Legislature approved a bill making no-excuse mail-in voting and expanded early voting permanent for federal, state and local elections.
The VOTES Act, which was signed into law by then-Gov. Charlie Baker, also shortened the time deadline to register to vote before an election from 20 to 10 days.
But the final bill was stripped of a Senate approved plan to allow same-day registration.
Legislative leaders who’ve raised objections to same-day registration cited concerns that the changes would be an unfunded mandate on local election clerks. They called for studying the potential costs and complications of allowing people to register to vote during elections, before moving ahead with the changes.
Secretary of State Bill Galvin, the state’s top election official, is among those who support allowing same-day registration, permanent mail voting and other reforms.
At least 22 states, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington, DC, allow same-day voter registration, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
In some cases, laws have faced lawsuits from Republicans and conservative groups who say the practice opens the door to voter fraud.
Massachusetts and many other states allow voters whose identity can’t be verified on Election Day to cast provisional ballots.
Supporters point to a 2022 UMass Amherst poll showing more than 65% of Massachusetts residents support same-day registration, among other changes.
Shanique Spalding, executive director of the MA Voter Table, said showing up to the polls to vote “is enough of a challenge for many voters” and administrative issues “should never be a barrier to their vote being counted.”
“Same-day registration addresses registration issues promptly, empowering voters of color, low-income voters, and unlikely voters,” she said.
“It ensures that every eligible voter who wants to can exercise their right to vote and have their voices heard in our democracy.”
Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@northofboston.com