Massachusetts

Governor Baker signs bill modernizing voter registration

BOSTON — Massachusetts is joining 13 other states and the District of Columbia in making it easier to register and vote in elections.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday signed a bill approving an automatic voter registration system.

The new system will automatically update a person's voter registration when that person notifies a state agency like the Registry of Motor Vehicles of a new address or other change in status. Those automatically registered to vote will then be notified by mail of the opportunity to choose a political party or to decline to register.

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Secretary of State William Galvin says the new system will begin automatically registering voters in January 2020, before the next presidential primaries.

Advocates say the new law could add up to 700,000 eligible voters to the voter rolls.