PEABODY — A local Republican party activist is vying for a state committee seat even as the state-wide campaign season has kicked off with a call for voting reform.
Michael Scarlata, Peabody Republican City Committee vice chairman, is seeking the state committee seat for the 2nd Essex District, which includes Salem, Peabody, Danvers, Beverly and Topsfield.
“In our district, we lack Republican representation. The responsibilities of a state committeeman are to build the city and town Committees, recruit and promote Republicans to run in local and state elections and fund raise,” Scarlata said.
Scarlata said local committees need to become more engaged in the events and activities throughout the 2nd District. He said most Republican voters are not aware of local committees and the access they provide to the Republican Party.
“My goal is to make the voters aware and to hopefully join. As our Republican Committees grow, we will then be able to recruit Republican candidates,” he said. “If you pull a Republican ballot on March 3, I respectfully ask for your vote.”
As candidates for a variety of public offices scurry across the state seeking nomination signatures, election reform advocates are calling for changes to allow prospective voters in Massachusetts to register and cast ballots in one trip to their polling places.
Early voting in Massachusetts began in 2016, and as of Jan. 1, eligible residents who interact with the Registry of Motor Vehicles or MassHealth will automatically be registered to vote unless they opt out.
Massachusetts is also on track to consider a ballot question in November that would implement a ranked-choice voting system, the State House News Service reported.
Same-day registration advocates estimate their proposal could boost voter turnout by up to 100,000 in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin said implementing same-day registration state-wide would cost at least $1 million, but that the figure could increase if cities and towns seek funding to add precinct wardens or equipment.
Under current law, unregistered but eligible voters must register 20 days ahead of an election in order to vote in that election. The registration deadline ahead of the March 3 presidential primary was Feb. 12.
The state Senate has approved same-day registration twice. In 2008, the chamber passed a same-day registration bill that did not clear the House. The Senate also added an amendment with similar language to an omnibus election reform bill in 2014; the provision was dropped during negotiations with the House, reported the News Service.
Since then, similar bills have stalled out in committee in each of the last two lawmaking sessions.
