BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on the need for meaningful voting rights legislation in Massachusetts.

“At a time where the sacred right to vote is under attack nationwide, states have the opportunity and obligation to expand access to the ballot box wherever possible. While I am encouraged that the Massachusetts Legislature has advanced the VOTES Act to expand early voting, make voting by mail permanent, and strengthen voting protections for people with disabilities and those behind the wall, I am deeply disappointed to see that my colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives would consider excluding same-day voter registration from this critical bill.

“Same-day registration is critical to boosting voter turnout, especially among Black, brown, low-income, and immigrant communities, and arbitrary voter registration deadlines should not be a barrier to exercising the right to vote. I urge my State House colleagues to swiftly reverse course.

“Massachusetts is often described as the birthplace of American democracy, and it’s time our election laws reflect that. As we continue fighting in Congress to abolish the Jim Crow filibuster and pass meaningful voting rights legislation, the Commonwealth must stand in the gap by enacting the strongest VOTES Act possible—including same-day registration—and ensure that every Massachusetts resident is able to participate in our democracy.”

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