Bates' Bill Closes Polls Earlier

The State Senate passed a bill sponsored by Barrington Sen. David Bates on Thursday, May 12, that requires polling places to close an hour earlier to bring them in line with other New England states.

The bill would require polls to be open from 7 am to 8 pm. It amends the law that requires polls to stay open until 9 pm.

The measure now goes to the House for consideration.

“When our polls close later, people may be less inclined to vote for a particular candidate if they see overwhelming results for another in other states,” Bates said. 

In exchange for closing the polls at 8 pm, the bill creates a uniform opening time of 7 am for all polls in the state.

Polling places in Massachusetts are open from 7 am to 8 pm; in Connecticut and New Hampshire they're open from 6 am to 8 pm.

Bates said the number of people who vote in the last hour inspired the change.

“Very, very few people vote between 8 and 9 p.m.,” Bates said.