From today's campaign press release:

Voting rights leader John Bonifaz, Democratic candidate for Secretary of State, has endorsed legislation created by the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association to establish an Elections Task Force to study and recommend election reforms, including Election Day Registration (EDR).

"Today, I offer my complete support for the creation of an Elections Task Force to recommend electoral reforms for Massachusetts," said Bonifaz. "Our town clerks have taken a leadership role and I stand by them in our desire to have the Commonwealth's electoral system count every vote, eliminate barriers to voting and fully-fund the needs of our cities and towns."

The Task Force legislation was first introduced into the Senate Supplemental Budget at the end of 2005 and currently sits in conference committee.

"I urge the conference committee, the Election Laws co-chairs and the full Legislature to make this Task Force a reality," said Bonifaz. "Our responsibility is to the voters of the Commonwealth. The proposed Task Force will allow for a comprehensive review and recommended improvements of our system by the committed individuals at the front line of our elections.

"The Bush Justice Department is now investigating four of our cities. How much further down this road must we go before electoral reforms are implemented to protect our voters' rights? Enough is enough. The time is now for this Task Force. It is a good first step."

Bonifaz launched his campaign last December. He founded the National Voting Rights Institute in 1994 and defended the Massachusetts Clean Elections Law, passed overwhelmingly by voters in 1998, against a Legislature that turned its back on the voters it represents and refused to fund the law.

For over a decade, Bonifaz has been a powerful voice and dedicated leader working with people throughout Massachusetts and across the country to protect the right to vote, demand a full recount in Ohio, overhaul the nation's campaign finance system and broaden citizen participation in the democratic process.