By Bob Katzen
The Election Laws Committee held a hearing on legislation designed to enhance the safety and security of candidates for public office by removing home addresses from ballots, nomination papers and other materials. The measure also would protect from disclosure of personal contact information maintained by government entities on elected officials, judges, judicial officers, law enforcement personnel, public prosecutors, public defenders and state licensed professionals whose work subjects them to an elevated safety risk.
Supporters said that Massachusetts is the only state in the nation that unnecessarily puts people at risk by requiring candidates to put their street addresses on nomination papers and ballots.
“Amid harassment, intimidation, assault and cold-blooded murder of elected officials and their families, as well as health care professionals, law enforcement officers and others, we must do everything we possibly can to protect our existing public servants and make it safe for anyone to run for and serve in office,” said sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “Notably, this is not a partisan issue, as figures spanning the political spectrum have faced terrible violence.”