Designation of Early Voting Locations

(1) Each city and town shall establish one or more early voting sites that shall include the election office for the city or town or other suitable location within the building in which the election office is located; provided however, that if the city or town determines that the office is unavailable within the building or unsuitable for early voting, the local election officials of each city or town shall identify and provide for an alternative, centrally-located, suitable and convenient public building within each city or town as an early voting site. (2) The designation of an early voting site shall be made not less than 14 days prior to the beginning of the early voting period. (a) Not less than seven days prior to the beginning of the early voting period and at least once during the early voting period, the local election officials shall publish the location of the early voting sites as well as the applicable dates and hours. (b) Notice shall be published in every newspaper listed for the city or town in the New England Newspaper & Press Association and shall be conspicuously posted in the office of the local election official or on the principal bulletin board of each city or town, on any other public building considered necessary, on the city or town's website, if any, and on the website of the Secretary. (c) Local election officials must provide the Secretary with the designated early voting locations, including addresses and hours, within two business days of designation. (3) If city or town hall is not designated as an early voting site, the notice provided to the Secretary must contain a statement certifying that the city or town hall is unsuitable or unavailable. A city or town may also provide for additional early voting sites at the discretion of the local election officials for that city or town. (a) Any proposed additional early voting site must be determined at least 14 days before the start of the early voting period and notice of such determination must be sent within two business days to the Secretary. (b) The notice shall contain the name of the approved additional early voting site, the address, a statement certifying that the location complies with the accessibility regulations set forth in 950 CMR 51.00: Polling Place Accessibility for Elderly and Handicapped Voters and the dates and hours at which early voting will be conducted at this location. (4) Each early voting site shall be accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with the provisions of 950 CMR 51.00: Polling Place Accessibility for Elderly and Handicapped Voters and must be equipped with an accessible marking unit. (5) Each early voting location must be suitably equipped to provide an early voter with sufficient privacy to mark their ballot.