Is Massachusetts Failing Its Voters?
A Deep Dive into Voter Roll Concerns
Massachusetts residents — it’s time to take a closer look at something that affects every single one of us: the integrity of our elections.
A recent deep-dive into the state’s voter registration data has revealed something startling. According to grassroots election integrity groups, more than 750,000 errors were found in our voter rolls as of 2022 — a number that exceeds the population of Boston. This isn't just a bureaucratic oversight. It's a sign of a potentially broken system.
A System That Should Work for the People — But Isn’t
The core of the issue is that our voter registration system is outdated, riddled with inaccuracies, and, some argue, vulnerable to misuse. In 2022 alone, a review of Massachusetts voter data revealed:
- 25,567 duplicate registrations
- Over 132,000 invalid or incomplete addresses
- Nearly 19,000 deceased individuals still listed as registered voters
If accurate, these numbers raise serious concerns about the potential for fraudulent activity, disenfranchisement of valid voters, and a general erosion of trust in the democratic process.
Real Stories, Real Consequences
This isn’t a hypothetical problem. In the 2022 midterms, hundreds of voters across the state were reportedly turned away due to registration errors — including address mismatches and inactive status due to database mistakes. These aren’t just data issues; they’re stories of real people being denied their voice in elections.
One particularly troubling statistic from the 2022 election: the state reportedly counted over 87,000 more votes than actual participating voters. Whether this was due to clerical error, outdated systems, or something more concerning, the result is the same — a shaken trust in our democratic process.
Accountability at the Top
Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, the state’s top election official, has resisted releasing the full statewide voter rolls for public review, citing privacy concerns. However, federal law under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) requires voter registration records to be available for public inspection to ensure transparency.
A federal lawsuit was filed in August 2024 by two grassroots organizations — MA4 Fair Elections and United Sovereign Americans of Massachusetts — demanding Galvin’s office comply with the NVRA. Similar lawsuits in other states have already resulted in public access to voter data.
A Pattern of Neglect
This isn’t a new issue. Concerns about inaccurate voter rolls in Massachusetts date back at least to 2004, when thousands of invalid or outdated registrations were flagged during the presidential election. Two decades later, the problem appears to be growing — not shrinking — despite advances in technology.
In fact, the national trend is alarming as well. In 2022, the group United Sovereign Americans flagged 29 million voter registration violations across 21 states. That puts Massachusetts in the unfortunate position of being a part of a national crisis — but one that hits close to home.
What’s at Stake?
The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. When our voter rolls are riddled with errors, it compromises that foundation. Whether you're a first-time voter or a lifelong participant in the democratic process, you deserve a system that gets the basics right.
Imagine if your bank made 750,000 errors in its records — you'd demand answers. We should expect the same standard from our election system, which holds something even more valuable than money: our democratic power.
The Path Forward
This isn’t about politics — it’s about transparency, fairness, and accountability. If these numbers are even close to accurate, it’s time to demand action. Whether through legal pressure, public demand, or electoral change, residents of Massachusetts must push for a system that protects every vote — and every voice.
If we can’t trust the voter rolls, how can we trust the results?
Stay informed. Stay involved. And demand the system we all deserve.
