The state’s top election official is intervening in the city of Lawrence over allegations of significant irregularities in the absentee ballot process.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin says his office has discovered a number of problematic practices around absentee ballots in Lawrence this election cycle, including ballots that seem to have been completed by someone other than the voter for whom the ballot was intended; ballots cast by voters who lack the legal standing to do so; and individuals refusing to show identification when they drop off absentee ballot applications at City Hall despite instructions from election staff.
As a result, Galvin says, his office will be intervening for the duration of the election.
“I’m in the process of obtaining outside election officials to come into Lawrence to assist with the absentee balloting process.” Galvin told GBH News. “We will supervise the early voting — there will be early voting in Lawrence, in-person early voting on the 25th, a week from tomorrow. My office will supervise that and we will be accompanied by state police.”
Among other contests, Lawrence is currently the site of a hotly contested mayoral race pitting incumbent Brian DePeña against challenger Juan “Manny” Gonzalez.
Galvin said he’s making the move after a recent meeting in Lawrence with the various campaigns involved in the election garnered what he described as a disappointing result.
“Some of the conduct that had been complained of appeared to verge on the edge of criminal behavior, and we warned them about that,” Galvin said. “However, even after that the line of questioning that came from the candidates and their general attitude that they indicated, and their subsequent conduct in continuing these efforts, led me to conclude that unless we directly intervened we would have a problem and voters would be short changed.”
Galvin is also ordering that Lawrence election staff verify the authenticity of all submitted absentee ballot applications; to obtain the names of anyone dropping off applications at City Hall; and to keep records of submitted applications that are incomplete or signed by an assisting person or family member.
“We will make sure that voters’ rights in Lawrence are protected,” Galvin said.
