May 27, 2020
The Hingham Democratic Town Committee (DTC) voted unanimously to endorse universal mail-in balloting for 2020’s November general election at its May Meeting.
“The Hingham Democratic Town Committee is extremely concerned that the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the right of Massachusetts voters to safely exercise their right to vote in the November election,” stated Michael Mullaley, Chair of the Hingham DTC. “While the rates of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have started to decline in the Commonwealth, scientists say that the virus may continue to spread throughout the summer and even into the fall, necessitating prolonged social distancing. If this occurs, the decision that voters will face in the general election is whether they should risk their health by going into a public polling place or instead forfeit their constitutional right to vote – a choice that no Massachusetts citizen should have to make.”
The Hingham DTC fully supports vote-by-mail for the general election. “Mail-in ballots, with return postage-paid, should be sent to all registered voters in the Commonwealth so that no one will have to risk their health in order to vote,” stated Dr. Katie McBrine, Vice Chair of the Hingham DTC. “And mail-in balloting should not preclude those who choose to exercise their franchise in person. Provisions need to be made to safely give all voters the choice.”
“There have been concerns raised about mail-in ballot voting, but in our research we have found them groundless,” explained Ellen Whalen, Secretary of the Hingham DTC. “The US Military has successfully voted by mail for decades. Voter fraud is extremely rare. Moreover, vote-by-mail has not been shown to favor one political party over the other; studies show that overall it has a neutral effect on partisan outcomes.”
“There have been concerns raised about the cost of vote-by-mail, but the U.S. Congress, through the economic stimulus package, has granted election assistance funds to the states to help safeguard elections in the wake of the pandemic,” stated Wayne Mesard, Treasurer of the Hingham DTC. “This federal grant can be used to cover the costs associated with implementing mail-in balloting in Massachusetts.”
“In addition to making the act of voting safer, mail-in ballots will undoubtedly have the effect of increasing voter turnout, which is an important goal for any democracy, stated John Deeley, Outreach Officer for the Hingham DTC. “When more people vote, more people feel invested in their government and take note of whether it is moving in the right direction.”
The Hingham DTC calls on the Massachusetts legislature to take immediate action to ensure that Massachusetts voters have the choice to vote by mail or in person in 2020’s November general election. No one should have to choose between exercising their right to vote on the one hand and risking their health on the other. The most equitable way of ensuring safe voting is to send mail-in ballots, with return postage paid, to all registered voters in the Commonwealth. The Hingham DTC calls on the elected officials representing Hingham voters to support such legislation.
If people can go to Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and Stop and Shop Etc they should be allowed to Vote in Person at a designated Voting Poll this is rediculous you people need to stop this!