That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Election Commission and Board of Election Commissioners to determine the feasibility of universal vote-by-mail for the City of Cambridge

City of Cambridge O-5 IN CITY COUNCIL May 18, 2020 COUNCILLOR NOLAN MAYOR SIDDIQUI VICE MAYOR MALLON COUNCILLOR CARLONE WHEREAS: The long-term effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic are unknown and we need to prepare for unsafe conditions lasting into the fall and beyond; and WHEREAS: The Wisconsin elections on April 7th, 2020 showed the danger, stress, and complications of voting in-person during a pandemic; and WHEREAS: Even if municipal buildings are open to the public in the fall, it will most likely still be dangerous for vulnerable populations hit hardest by this crisis to perform any non- essential activity; and WHEREAS: No person should have to put their health and safety in danger to exercise their right to vote; and WHEREAS: Mayor Siddiqui is a signatory to a letter from 22 mayors across the Commonwealth to the Massachusetts legislative leadership asking for urgency in passing a Vote by Mail program; and WHEREAS Efforts in the Massachusetts Legislature include HD.5075, An Act Ensuring Safe and Participatory 2020 State Elections in Response to COVID-19, which is complementary to S.2612 and is endorsed by over 100 organizations; and WHEREAS: Efforts have accelerated at the national level to ensure that people may exercise their right to vote safely in the fall, with Senator Elizabeth Warren a key sponsor of legislation, now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Election Commission and Board of Election Commissioners to determine the feasibility of universal vote-by-mail for the City of Cambridge; and be it further ORDERED: That the Council go on record in support HD.5075 and S.2612 ; and be it further; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this policy order to the City's Delegation in the State Legislature on behalf of the entire City Council." In City Council May 18, 2020. Order Adopted as Amended by a yea and nay vote:- Yeas 9; Nays 0; Absent 0. Attest:- Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk A true copy; ATTEST:- Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk