Governor Deval Patrick signed legislation yesterday that increases the Commonwealth’s cash bonuses for military personnel who serve multiple Afghanistan or Iraq tours, enhances access to state contracts for disabled veterans, permits electronic voting for service members stationed abroad, and allows private nonprofits to be designated as soldiers’ homes and apply for federal funding to expand facilities.
The law also establishes a Medal of Liberty for the next of kin for service members mortally wounded in action.
“The least we can do for our veterans is to provide them the very best opportunities when their service is done,’’ Patrick said in a statement yesterday. “This law serves as a pledge to Massachusetts veterans that we will continue in our efforts to secure for them the benefits they have earned.’’
Several voting rights groups voiced opposition to the bill yesterday, saying e-mailing or faxing ballots was “high risk.’’
The groups - including Voter Action, Verified Voting, Common Cause, the Boston Bar Association, and the Latino civic organization Oiste - issued a joint statement urging the governor to return the bill to the Legislature with a recommendation that the e-mail voting provision be removed.
“Facsimile or e-mail transmission of voted ballots requires military voters to sacrifice their right to a private vote,’’ the groups said, “and it is also one of the least-secure methods of ballot submission available.’’
Asked about the groups’ concerns, Patrick spokeswoman Kimberly Haberlin said the legislation allowed for regulations to safeguard the soldiers’ votes.
“It is narrowly tailored to ensure our dedicated servicemen and women can freely and fully participate in our electoral process,’’ Haberlin said. “The regulations that will be issued by the secretary of state will uphold the integrity of the process.’’
