An Act relative to election emergencies

This bill empowers the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth to delay or extend election deadlines, such as candidate qualification periods and voting dates, when a declared state of emergency makes holding an election unsafe. It requires the secretary to create a specific contingency plan that outlines how officials should communicate these changes to voters and candidates, as well as how to handle alternate voting procedures if polling places are inaccessible. The law limits any single postponement to 45 days but allows for an additional 45-day extension if the emergency situation persists, ensuring that election schedules can be adjusted flexibly during crises while maintaining oversight.