An Act to increase the safety and security of unattended ballot boxes
This bill requires all cities and towns to install 24-hour video surveillance on unattended ballot drop boxes used in elections. Election officials must also post signs indicating constant surveillance and ensure cameras record footage during all elections. Recorded footage can be stored either digitally or physically but must be kept for at least 22 months after each election. The law directly affects local election officers who must implement these security measures for ballot drop boxes.
Bill status
passed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025
Last action Apr 2, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Election Laws
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Steven Howitt
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about H 842
Scope: MA
Hi! I can help you understand H 842. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline