News: Vote-by-mail summer

Friday, August 19, 2022

Vote-by-mail summer

Aug 19, 2022

WHEN A BILL BECOMES A LAW — The pandemic expansions of mail-in and early in-person voting became permanent to much fanfare — and a failed lawsuit spearheaded by the MassGOP — earlier this year.

With voting by mail underway, Playbook checked in with the secretary of state's office to see how many people have requested and returned ballots. Here are the tallies as of midafternoon Thursday, 19 days before the Sept. 6 state primary:

— 609,697 ballots requested

— 588,579 ballots mailed

— 146,242 ballots returned

And here are the stats from 19 days before the state primary in 2020, which went on to draw a record 1.7 million voters:

— 952,631 ballots requested

— 841,171 ballots mailed

— 83,429 ballots returned

The secretary of state's office cautions against comparisons, given the unprecedented nature of those early Covid, pre-vaccine days and how daily life has changed since. Secretary of State Bill Galvin said in a statement that he expects "we will see more people voting in person" this September "because people are generally much more comfortable in public settings now."

But Galvin is still "surprised by the strong response we've seen so far, both in terms of how many voters are requesting ballots and how many have already returned them. At this point, most of the people choosing to vote by mail seem to be doing so for the sake of convenience."

Vanessa Snow of MassVote, a nonprofit that tries to boost voter participation, said these early numbers "show how popular mail-in voting is." Galvin's Democratic primary rival, Tanisha Sullivan, said it's "vitally important to provide voters with many options to cast their ballots," including voting by mail.

But the MassGOP has vowed to take its fight against the new voting law to the U.S. Supreme Court. And Rayla Campbell — the party's sole candidate for secretary of state and a plaintiff in the MassGOP's unsuccessful lawsuit to stop Galvin from implementing the new law — has said she would work to do away with mail-in voting.

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips? Scoops? Heading to Sen. Bernie Sanders' rally "fighting back against corporate greed" at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Cambridge Common? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.

TODAY — Transportation Secretary Jamey Tesler, MBTA GM Steve Poftak and MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver hold a press conference on the Orange Line shutdown at 9 a.m. at the Forest Hills MBTA station. GOP candidates Chris Doughty and Kate Campanale announce new endorsements at noon in Attleboro.

THIS WEEKEND — Democratic candidates campaign at 3T&2C Democratic Committee's "Brews for Blues" at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Newburyport Brewing Company. Boston City Councilor Kenzie Bok and Alex and Gaye Bok host a joint fundraiser for Ways and Means Chairs state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and state Sen. Michael Rodrigues at 4 p.m. Sunday in Westport.

SUNDAY SHOWS — Sullivan is on WBZ's "Keller @ Large" at 8:30 a.m. Rep. Stephen Lynch is on WCVB's "On the Record" at 11 a.m.

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— T TIME: When Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was asked on GBH's "Boston Public Radio" yesterday whether she was confident MBTA riders facing a monthlong Orange Line shutdown are aware of their transportation alternatives, she had one word to say: "No."

"This has been such short notice for everyone. And we've been making the best of that at the city level, truly dropping other things to just focus on planning every little detail and support as much as we can," Wu said. "We will need to have people on the ground helping to direct traffic, guiding passengers on how to get on the right shuttle buses."

Here's what you should be reading before the Orange Line goes offline at 9 p.m.:

— "Baker confident Orange Line work will get done during closure," by Katie Lannan, GBH News: "A day before the MBTA is scheduled to fully shut down Orange Line service for 30 days, Gov. Charlie Baker said he expects all the needed repairs will get done in that window. … The unprecedented monthlong closure of an entire subway line for maintenance work — which Baker has said will allow crews to tackle projects that could otherwise take five years to complete — comes amid a Federal Transit Authority probe into the MBTA's safety practices. The governor said Thursday that he knew of some problems before the FTA flagged them, including delayed track maintenance and safety protections at train yards. But he said he was not aware of inadequate staffing at the MBTA's operational control center before federal officials stepped in."

— "Confusion, frustration reign as Boston region braces for 30-day Orange Line shutdown Friday," by Taylor Dolven and Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Incorrect signs at subway stations, last-minute changes to shuttle bus routes, and concerns about shortcomings in service for Chinatown residents set an unsettling tone on the last full day of preparations for the unprecedented shutdown of the Orange Line, which begins Friday evening. … The MBTA is encouraging Orange Line riders to take the commuter rail, which will be essentially free for those who show a Charlie Card or CharlieTicket to conductors at stations in zones 1A, 1, and 2. Commuter rail trains will stop at Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, North Station, Malden Center, and Oak Grove stations."

— "MBTA boss explains to business leaders why 30-day shutdown of Orange Line is necessary," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "The impending Orange Line work was already mapped out in the T's capital plan. But [T General Manager Steve] Poftak said it was clear that the FTA wanted the work to be done more quickly than the T management envisioned. … 'We originally planned to lose the northern end of the line for roughly the month of August [and] we had a number of other weekend diversions planned in the fall and spring,' Poftak said. But that timeline for making these safety upgrades apparently wasn't speedy enough for the FTA."

— "T report: 'Not just about putting more money into the MBTA'," by Mike Beaudet, WCVB: "The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation calls the situation at the MBTA a full blown crisis in a just-released report."

THE LATEST NUMBERS

— "Massachusetts reports 8,224 new COVID cases, virus infection count goes down again," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "State health officials on Thursday reported 8,224 confirmed COVID cases from the last week, as confirmed virus infections continue to go down across the region. The state's daily average of 1,175 COVID cases from the last week is a drop from the daily rate of 1,279 infections during the previous week."

— "Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts," by Ryan Huddle and Peter Bailey-Wells, Boston Globe.

— "Massachusetts reports 41 new monkeypox cases, as DPH issues updated vaccine advisory for lower-dose regimen," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "The count of 41 new monkeypox cases in the Bay State is a tick down from 45 cases during the previous week, which is the state's one-week record high. … It brings the total number of monkeypox cases in the state to 243 since the state's first case was announced in mid-May."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "Massachusetts sports betting launch date: Casinos are 'set to move' on in-person wagering," by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: "A week after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law legalizing sports betting in the state, members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and representatives from licensed gambling entities sat down to discuss a range of issues from initial preparations to betting kiosks placement and tax considerations to responsible gaming. One theme emerged early in the meeting — the five licensed gaming operators in Massachusetts are ready to go once the commission sets up a regulatory framework. MGM Springfield Vice President and Legal Counsel Augustine Kim said the casino can start offering sports betting within 90 days of when the commission finalizes regulations, pointing to millions already invested into a sports betting lounge."

— "Baker rebuffs latest congestion pricing plan," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "[T]he state Legislature recently approved an $11.4 billion transportation bond bill, which was signed by Gov. Charlie Baker last week, to help plug an estimated $50 billion gap in transportation funding over the next two decades. Tucked into the massive bonding bill was a plan to create a state commission to study 'mobility pricing,' which could include more tolls and so-called congestion pricing, under which tolls are lowered during off-peak times and raised during rush hour, on the Tobin Bridge and elsewhere. But Baker returned that section of the bill unsigned, citing his long-standing concerns about 'equity' issues associated with congestion pricing."

FROM THE HUB

— "Mayor Wu: Boston has become a target for white supremacists and right-wing extremists," by Zoe Mathews, Boston Public Radio: "Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said targeted harassment of Boston Children's Hospital for their transgender health unit 'unfortunately isn't surprising in today's political environment,' and said Boston in general has become a target for right-wing extremist hate. … Wu, who has dealt with targeted harassment herself and at her family home, also said that she attended a recent conference with mayors from across the city, where she became aware that 'just about every woman mayor has had people outside their homes, or pretty disturbing threats leveled at them on a regular basis.'"

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— FROM THE OPINION PAGES: Newspaper endorsement season is upon us. The Boston Globe Editorial Board has endorsed Chris Dempsey for auditor.

— "Charlie Baker says he could see himself supporting Liz Cheney for president," by Marta Hill, Boston.com: "Just a few days after Rep. Liz Cheney's dramatic loss in the Wyoming GOP primaries, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker indicated on GBH that, depending on how the field fills out, he could see himself supporting her in a possible presidential campaign in 2024."

— "It's Peake performance vs. reform agenda in Cape Cod race," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "The outer reaches of Cape Cod may be best known for the unspoiled beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore and the freewheeling ways of Provincetown tea dances, but Sarah Peake says she spends lots of her time focused on harbor dredging policy, wastewater infrastructure, and building a trust fund to support affordable housing. Such are the pressing needs, she says, of the House of Representatives district that stretches from Harwich to Provincetown. Peake has held the House seat since winning election in 2006, and has risen into leadership in the 160-member body, currently holding the post of second assistant majority leader. … The only thing standing in her way this election cycle is Jack Stanton, a 30-year-old Democratic primary rival who is trying to push a reform agenda similar to that of a handful of other House challengers who are calling out incumbents for being part of a Beacon Hill culture where too much is decided behind closed doors."

— "Incumbent Quinn and challenger McMahon swing away in testy Bristol DA's race," by Anastasia E. Lennon, New Bedford Light: "Long-serving Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III, who has never run opposed, has a challenger this election cycle who also worked for his office until 2016: Shannon McMahon. … In interviews with The Light, neither minced words, with Quinn stating McMahon is running a vindictive campaign and unfit to serve after a 2016 domestic assault arrest, and McMahon saying Quinn is complacent, lacks transparency and shows desperation when he mentions her arrest."

DAY IN COURT

— "3 men indicted in 2018 prison killing of James 'Whitey' Bulger," by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: "Two inmates from Massachusetts have been charged with fatally beating notorious South Boston gangster James 'Whitey' Bulger in his cell at a West Virginia penitentiary in October 2018, while a third former inmate has been charged with conspiring with the pair to carry out the brutal slaying, federal prosecutors said Thursday."

— "Truck driver acquitted in crash appears in immigration court," by The Associated Press: "[Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, a] commercial truck driver from Ukraine who was taken into custody by immigration officials shortly after he was acquitted of causing the deaths of seven motorcyclists will ask for relief from possible removal from the United States, his attorney said at a hearing Thursday."

— "Holyoke councilor Wilmer E. Puello-Mota free on bail from Rhode Island," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "Holyoke Ward 2 Councilor Wilmer E. Puello-Mota is out on bail, according to Rhode Island correctional officials. But he still faces still faces obstruction of justice and forgery and counterfeiting charges and well as the possession of child pornography that led, police said, to the forging and obstruction."

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THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Charlie Baker activates National Guard for Rockport wildfire, as drought worsens across Massachusetts," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Gov. Charlie Baker has activated the National Guard to respond to a wildfire in Rockport, as drought conditions continue to worsen across the Bay State amid an extremely dry summer. … Nearly 40% of the state is now facing an extreme drought, up from 25% of the state last week."

— "Worcester's chief diversity officer position still not posted to allow city time to establish support structure, acting city manager says," by Kiernan Dunlop, MassLive: "Five months after the city of Worcester announced Stephanie Williams will be departing her role as chief diversity officer, the city has not posted a job opening for the position. The city's Acting City Manager Eric Batista said there's a reason the city is waiting to post the opening. … The city is conducting racial equity audits, and Batista said audits of the human resources and health and human services department have been completed."

MEDIA MATTERS

— "Firth named executive editor, newsroom of MIT Tech Review," by Chris Roush, Talking Biz News.

HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH

DON'T SAY I'M OUT OF TOUCH — Apparently, Gov. Charlie Baker sends his daughter a song almost every day as a way to keep in touch (aw).

WAKE ME UP INSIDE — Among the recent ones was Evanescence's 2003 hit "Bring Me to Life," so he told GBH's "Boston Public Radio" yesterday. Baker's musical inclinations have made headlines over the years ( he's a Blink-182 fan ) and the concert's he's been spotted at so far this year include the Dropkick Murphys and Elton John.

THE CHANGE — Since Baker's on his way out and Evanescence struck it big during your Playbook scribe's formative years, Playbook asked the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor if they 1) know or listen to Evanescence and 2) what their favorite band is? The answers, from those who responded:

— GEOFF DIEHL: Evanescence isn't on Diehl's playlist, nor his daughters'. According to his campaign manager, Diehl is more likely to send Zac Brown Band or Luke Bryan songs to his daughters. His favorite band is Rush.

— CHRIS DOUGHTY: Has heard of Evanescence, but his favorite band is Fleetwood Mac.

— TAMI GOUVEIA: Called Evanescence's "My Immortal" a "powerful" song and said she listened to it "quite a bit when it was first released." Her favorite band is also Fleetwood Mac — "a family favorite from my childhood!"

— ERIC LESSER: Also likes "Bring Me to Life." His favorite artist is Stevie Wonder, but his current favorite driving-around song is Jack Harlow's "First Class."

— KIM DRISCOLL: Has been on a Lizzo kick. She's also a big fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

— LEAH COLE ALLEN: Is a fan of Billy Joel.

SPOTTED — at the Bad Bunny concert at Fenway: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (tweet), state Rep. Andy Vargas and Juan Jaramillo.

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT — With less than three weeks until the state primaries, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky dig into the latest MassINC Democratic primary polling. Yawu Miller of the Bay State Banner and Marco Cartolano of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette break down local races. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Trey McNinch, Winslow Eliot and John Sasso. Happy belated to GBH's Sarah Betancourt.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to the MassLive's Erin Tiernan, WBUR's Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Daily Hampshire Gazette photog Carol Lollis, Targeted Victory CEO Zac Moffatt, Tamara Stein and Rachel Lea Fish, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Brendan Kennedy, Sara Seinberg, Cheryl Chen, GBH alum and Bloomberg's Joe Mathieu; Jana Winter, Kelley Vickery, Amy Dow, director of public relations and government affairs at New Balance; and David A. Heifetz.

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