Voting bill during pandemic advances

Boston (AP) — A committee made up of members of the Massachusetts House and Senate has agreed on a final compromise bill aimed at safeguarding elections during the coronavirus pandemic.

Backers said Monday the bill’s goal is to expand voter access and safety during the remaining 2020 elections, including the Sept. 1, state primary and Nov. 3, general election.

The latest version of the bill resolves differences between House and Senate versions.

The bill — if approved — would for the first time in state history give all eligible residents the opportunity to vote early in both the state primary and general election while also letting residents vote by mail and expanding absentee ballot access.

All registered voters in Massachusetts would receive applications in the mail to vote early.

Cities and towns would also be required to take a public vote and provide 20 days notice before changing the location of a polling place.

The House and Senate must take a final vote on the compromise bill before it can be sent to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.

By the numbers

Massachusetts reported another 35 COVID-19-related deaths Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed and probable deaths since the beginning of the pandemic to 8,095.

There were about 100 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, reported Monday — bringing the total number of confirmed and probable cases to more than 108,700 in Massachusetts.

The number of those hospitalized with COVID-19 ticked up to 762 compared to the 748 reported Sunday.

The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care also rose slightly to 138 compared to the 134 reported Sunday.

The number of the deaths at long-term care homes rose to 5,111 — or more than 63% of all deaths in Massachusetts attributed to the disease.

University layoffs

Boston University is planning to lay off or furlough up to 250 workers as it grapples with an estimated $96 million budget gap due to the pandemic.

University President Robert Brown wrote in a letter to faculty and staff that the university has dipped into its reserves and other financial sources to help cover an anticipated shortfall of about $264 million in the fiscal year starting July 1.