Highlights

• The primary responsibility of the Secretary of State is to maintain the voter roles and voter registration process
• William Galvin has refused to make the voter roles available to the DOJ in violation of the law
• Anne Brensley pledges to ensure election integrity and all the processes associated with elections

Responsibilities

Among a variety of responsibilities including corporation filings and protection against securities fraud, the key responsibility of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (the Secretary of State) is the Administration of all elections including maintenance of the statewide voter registration system, certification of results, approval of voting systems, and related oversight.

William Galvin’s Record

William F. Galvin has navigated legal challenges and controversies surrounding his management of voter registration and election processes. Although not found in violation of laws, Galvin has utilized legal frameworks for political purposes. A significant concern revolves around his maintenance of voter registration rolls; in 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) found his office in violation of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act due to inadequate reporting on military and overseas absentee ballots. In 2025, the DOJ sued Galvin for an unredacted statewide voter registration list which he refused to do. The lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Leo Sorokin (an Obama appointee), stating the DOJ’s request lacked the necessary factual basis as the law mandates.  Federal law states that voter roles must be available to public inspection to authorized and cannot be sought piecemeal from all 351 local election offices which is Galvin’s position.   

The DOJ warned Galvin he could face criminal charges if he is found to knowingly retain noncitizens on voter lists or allow noncitizen voting, yet he continues to contest these requests in court. Additionally, Galvin has faced litigation from voting rights organizations, alleging he failed to provide required post-election reports about incarcerated voters’ mail ballot requests during the 2024 elections. While he has received data from correctional facilities, he has not publicly disclosed the information, raising concerns about thousands of potential mail ballots, compared to his estimate of fewer than 1,000.

The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission has substantiated several ethics complaints against Galvin, including a 2018 conflict of interest related to self-promotion in the Information for Voters booklet, which had its objectivity questioned during 2016-2018. A 2014 review by the Boston Globe revealed a tendency of Galvin’s public records division to favor agencies in withholding information. His office also oversees nomination signature certification, which has sparked controversies, particularly involving public staff’s involvement in political campaigns, including his own, and issues related to significant forgeries that emerge during the challenge process. An array of Election Administration issues has also surfaced since 2025, using his staff to assist campaigns including his own.

Anne Brensley’s Positions

Anne Brensley brings proven leadership experience as a Wayland Selectwoman and successful business executive

Her platform emphasizes Election integrity   She will Ensure secure ballot access and prevent manipulation before it happens, Modernize election safeguards while maintaining simplicity for voters and Support our town clerks with better tools and resources.  Modernize Ballot Access by Implement better verification tools to prevent fraud. Strengthen safeguards against manipulation and errors and Review outdated procedures that create vulnerabilities

Citizens deserve to know how government operates Improve public records access and faster response times.  She will create a Local Control Division to provide municipalities with dedicated legal resources for this purpose  Create a culture of openness and accountability

Also provide better Support for Small Business through Modernize the Corporations Division with updated systems and eliminate unnecessary barriers to entrepreneurship.  also Modernize the Secretary of State’s Office through Implement better technology and customer service systems and Improve accessibility for all residents