SB 31 (2021): relative to voter checklists and modifying the absentee ballot affidavit.

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“SB 31 (2021): relative to voter checklists and modifying the absentee ballot affidavit.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2021/sb31. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. (n.d.). SB 31 (2021): relative to voter checklists and modifying the absentee ballot affidavit. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2021/sb31
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Granite Record. “SB 31 (2021): relative to voter checklists and modifying the absentee ballot affidavit.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2021/sb31.
BibTeX
@misc{bill-2021-sb31, title = {SB 31 (2021): relative to voter checklists and modifying the absentee ballot affidavit.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2021/sb31}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

SB 31 (2021)

relative to voter checklists and modifying the absentee ballot affidavit.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 2021-2022
  • House committee: Election Law
  • Senate committee: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
  • Subject: Elections
  • Chapter law: 175

The Story

It was introduced on January 6, 2021 and referred to the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2021-0159s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2021-0159s) was adopted on a roll call 23–1 on February 4, 2021, changing the text of the bill. On February 4, 2021 the Senate voted to pass it with changes and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 25, 2021 and was referred to the House Election Law committee. The committee held a work session on May 5, 2021. The committee met in executive session on May 19, 2021 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2021-1486h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 14–6. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2021-1486h) was adopted on a voice vote on June 3, 2021, changing the text of the bill. On June 3, 2021 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 214–162. On June 10, 2021 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. On June 10, 2021 the House adopted “House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. B. Griffin. On June 24, 2021 the House adopted the conference report (2021-1947c) on a division vote 203–170. On June 24, 2021 the Senate adopted the conference report (2021-1947c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 24, 2021 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 30, 2021, making it Chapter 175 of the session laws.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • January 21, 2021, 9:10 AM: hearing, Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs
  • March 31, 2021, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Election Law
  • May 5, 2021, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Election Law
  • May 19, 2021, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Election Law
  • June 14, 2021, 11:00 AM: committee of conference, SH Senate Chamber

Votes

  • June 3, 2021, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2021-1486h — yeas 214, nays 162, passed
  • June 10, 2021, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — voice vote, passed
  • June 10, 2021, House: House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC — voice vote, passed
  • June 24, 2021, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — yeas 203, nays 170, passed
  • June 24, 2021, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 6, 2021: Introduced 01/06/2021 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs
  • January 13, 2021: Remote Hearing: 01/21/2021, 09:10 am; Links to join the hearing can be found in the Senate Calendar
  • February 4, 2021: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2021-0159s , 02/04/2021; Vote 5-0; CC
  • February 4, 2021: Committee Amendment #2021-0159s , RC 23Y-1N, AA; 02/04/2021
  • February 4, 2021: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2021-0159s, RC 23Y-1N, MA; OT3rdg; 02/04/2021
  • February 25, 2021: Introduced (in recess of) 02/25/2021 and referred to Election Law
  • March 31, 2021: Public Hearing: 03/31/2021 10:00 am Members of the public may attend using the following link: To join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/95912119642 / Executive session on pending legislation may be held throughout the day (time permitting) from the time the committee is initially convened
  • May 5, 2021: Full Committee Work Session: 05/05/2021 10:00 am Members of the public may attend using the following link: To join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/98783397971 / Executive session on pending legislation may be held throughout the day (time permitting) from the time the committee is initially convened
  • May 19, 2021: Executive Session: 05/19/2021 10:00 am Members of the public may attend using the following link: To join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/99392215410
  • May 26, 2021: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2021-1486h (Vote 14-6; RC)
  • May 26, 2021: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  • June 3, 2021: Amendment #2021-1486h : AA VV 06/03/2021
  • June 3, 2021: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2021-1486h: MA DV 214-162 06/03/2021
  • June 10, 2021: Sen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; 06/10/2021
  • June 10, 2021: President Appoints: Senators Gray, Birdsell, Perkins Kwoka; 06/10/2021
  • June 10, 2021: House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. B. Griffin): MA VV 06/10/2021
  • June 10, 2021: Speaker Appoints: Reps. Sweeney, Hayward, Mooney, Prudhomme-O'Brien 06/10/2021
  • June 11, 2021: Committee of Conference Meeting: 06/14/2021, 11:00 a.m., Room Senate Chamber, SH
  • June 16, 2021: Conference Committee Report #2021-1947c Filed 06/10/2021; House Amendment + New Amendment
  • June 24, 2021: Conference Committee Report 2021-1947c: Adopted, DV 203-170 06/24/2021
  • June 24, 2021: Conference Committee Report #2021-1947c , Adopted, VV; 06/24/2021
  • June 24, 2021: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/24/2021)
  • June 24, 2021: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/24/2021
  • July 30, 2021: Signed by the Governor on 07/30/2021; Chapter 0175
  • August 3, 2021: I. Sections 2 & 3 Effective as provided in Section 4
  • August 3, 2021: II. Remainder Effective 09/28/2021

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court