The state’s failure to keep up with the times stems from a leadership vacuum. This vacuum is especially pertinent now, because in November, for the first time, state law will allow voters to cast early ballots — a mode of voting already available in most states and already utilized by 25 to 30 percent of American voters on a regular basis. However, because of the lethargy that characterizes the state election authority, we are at risk of a botched implementation of the law; few voters may be able to take advantage of the opportunity to vote early. Even in this one small area in which legislation has already been passed that would help catch Massachusetts up with the rest of the country, leadership is effectively working to preserve the status quo, not by openly opposing reform, but just by being — in the words of Donald Trump — very low energy.