GENERAL LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS

CHAPTER 53. NOMINATIONS, QUESTIONS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS, PRIMARIES AND CAUCUSES.

NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES.

Chapter 53, Section 1. Parties entitled to make nominations.

Chapter 53, Section 2. Nominations and elections; necessity; procedure.

Chapter 53, Section 3. Nomination of person not printed on primary ballot; acceptance; statement of financial interest.

Chapter 53, Section 4. Conventions to nominate candidates; dates.

Chapter 53, Section 5. Certificate of nomination; contents; signatures; filing; written acceptance of candidate.

Chapter 53, Section 6. Nomination papers; contents; number of signatures; unenrolled candidates.

Chapter 53, Section 7. Nomination papers; signatures; addresses; submission; deadlines; correction procedures; certification and checking; special election.

Chapter 53, Section 7A. Nominating petitions for city officer; deadlines; signatures; certification and checking.

Chapter 53, Section 8. Certificates of nomination and nomination papers; contents; party designation.

Chapter 53, Section 9. Certificate of nomination and nomination papers; certification of candidate as registered voter; acceptance; procedure.

Chapter 53, Section 9A. Nomination papers for cities or towns; applicable provisions.

Chapter 53, Section 10. Certificates of nomination and nomination papers; time for filing.

Chapter 53, Section 11. Certificate of nomination and nomination papers; objections; filing.

Chapter 53, Section 12, 12A. Repealed, 1977, 927, Sec. 5.

Chapter 53, Section 13. Withdrawal of nominated candidates.

Chapter 53, Section 14. Death, withdrawal or ineligibility of nominees; filling vacancies; objections.

Chapter 53, Section 15. Certificate of nomination to fill vacancy; contents; acceptance.

Chapter 53, Section 16. Certificates of nomination, etc.; public inspection, preservation.

Chapter 53, Section 17. Blank forms for nominations.

ENDORSEMENT FOR NOMINATION OF MEMBERS OF STATE POLITICAL COMMITTEES BY CONVENTIONS.

Chapter 53, Section 17A. Procedure.

QUESTIONS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS.

Chapter 53, Section 18. Proposed amendments to federal constitution; opinion of voters ascertained.

Chapter 53, Section 18A. Nonbinding public opinion advisory questions on local ballots.

Chapter 53, Section 19. Questions of public policy submitted in certain districts upon application.

Chapter 53, Section 20. Applications; signatures; identification; certification; submission.

Chapter 53, Section 21. Applications; filing; number of questions; resubmission.

Chapter 53, Section 22. Instructions to representatives; necessity of majority vote.

INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS.

Chapter 53, Section 22A. Signing petitions; forms; receipt; filing date.

Chapter 53, Section 22B. Repealed, 1985, 124.

PROVISIONS APPLYING TO ALL PRIMARIES.

Chapter 53, Section 23. Sections applicable to all primaries.

Chapter 53, Section 24. Applicability of sections relating to elections and corrupt practices.

Chapter 53, Section 25. Withdrawal of candidates.

Chapter 53, Section 26. Repealed, 1977, 927, Sec. 8.

Chapter 53, Section 27. Repealed, 1980, 134, Sec. 4.

Chapter 53, Section 28. Dates and places for holding primaries.

Chapter 53, Section 29. Designation of primary officers; compensation.

Chapter 53, Section 30. Designation of primary officers; wards or towns.

Chapter 53, Section 31. Ineligibility to act as primary officers.

Chapter 53, Section 32. Ballots; preparation; number.

Chapter 53, Section 33. Ballots; color; specimen ballots.

Chapter 53, Section 34. Ballots; contents; arrangement; form.

Chapter 53, Section 34A. Absentee ballots; application; forms; envelopes; preparation.

Chapter 53, Section 35. Cross constituting as vote.

Chapter 53, Section 35A. Use of pasters or stickers.

Chapter 53, Section 35B. Persons nominated by pasters or write-ins; notice.

Chapter 53, Section 36. Delivery of ballots, etc., at polling places; posting specimen ballots.

Chapter 53, Section 37. Party enrollment of voters.

Chapter 53, Section 37A. Absentee ballots; application; unenrolled voters; recording upon voting lists.

Chapter 53, Section 38. Party designation of voters and eligibility to vote under party enrollments; certificate to establish, change or cancel enrollment.

Chapter 53, Section 38A. Enrolled and unenrolled voters; precinct count.

Chapter 53, Section 39. Counting votes.

Chapter 53, Section 39A. Repealed, 1966, 176, Sec. 1.

Chapter 53, Section 40. Number of votes necessary to nominate candidate not on ballot.

Chapter 53, Section 40A. Petitions for recounts.

PROVISIONS APPLYING TO STATE PRIMARIES.

Chapter 53, Section 41. Sections applicable to nominations at state primaries.

Chapter 53, Section 42. Primaries held by wards, precincts or groups of precincts; notice to state secretary.

Chapter 53, Section 43. Polls; hours when open.

Chapter 53, Section 44. Nomination papers; number of signatures.

Chapter 53, Section 45. Nomination papers; contents; signatures; acceptance; number of candidates; penalty provisions.

Chapter 53, Section 46. Nomination papers; submission to registrars; certification; correction of district; number of names.

Chapter 53, Section 47. Nomination papers; preparation; availability.

Chapter 53, Section 48. Nomination papers; certificates of nomination; filing; political party membership; term limits.

Chapter 53, Section 48A. Repealed, 1985, 477, Sec. 21.

Chapter 53, Section 49. Nomination in case of withdrawal, death or ineligibility.

Chapter 53, Section 50. Vacancies caused by withdrawal; nomination to fill; objections.

Chapter 53, Section 51. Counting of ballots.

Chapter 53, Section 52. Canvass and return of votes; certification and notification of nominees.

Chapter 53, Section 53. Vacancies caused by ties; filling.

Chapter 53, Section 53A. Objections to nominations; withdrawals by nominees.

PROVISIONS APPLYING TO PRE-PRIMARY CONVENTIONS.

Chapter 53, Section 54. Repealed, 1973, 429, Sec. 5.

Chapter 53, Section 54A, 54B. Repealed, 1939, 473, Sec. 20.

Chapter 53, Section 54C, 54D. Repealed, 1973, 429, Sec. 5.

PROVISIONS APPLYING TO CITY AND TOWN PRIMARIES.

Chapter 53, Section 55. Primaries for city and town nominations; objections; withdrawals.

Chapter 53, Section 56. Primaries for nomination; submission of question; notice of result to state secretary.

Chapter 53, Section 57. Notices of intention to participate in primaries.

Chapter 53, Section 58. Blank nomination papers provided; contents.

Chapter 53, Section 59. Nominations on blank nomination papers; signatures; acceptance.

Chapter 53, Section 60. Nomination papers, contents.

Chapter 53, Section 61. Nomination papers; filing; certification; correction of district.

Chapter 53, Section 62. Death, withdrawal, or ineligibility of candidates; filling vacancies.

Chapter 53, Section 63. Polls; hours.

Chapter 53, Section 64. Returns of votes; canvass and certification.

Chapter 53, Section 65--70. Repealed, 1932, 310, Sec. 23.

PROVISIONS APPLYING TO PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES.

Chapter 53, Section 70A. Sections applicable.

Chapter 53, Section 70B. Delegates to national conventions; election; number.

Chapter 53, Section 70C. Primaries by wards, precincts or groups of precincts; notice to state secretary.

Chapter 53, Section 70D. Nomination papers.

Chapter 53, Section 70E. Order of names on ballots; statement of preference; preferential vote count.

Chapter 53, Section 70F. Canvass of returns; notice; certification; certificates.

Chapter 53, Section 70G. Filling vacancies.

Chapter 53, Section 70H. Applicability of certain other sections.

Chapter 53, Section 70I. Delegates and alternate delegates to national conventions; voting for president on first roll call.

Chapter 53, Section 70J. Repealed, 1975, 600, Sec. 20.

Chapter 53, Section 70K. Repealed, 1969, 61, Sec. 4.

PROVISIONS APPLYING TO ALL CAUCUSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES.

Chapter 53, Section 71. Nominate at caucuses.

Chapter 53, Section 72. Regulations for city or town caucuses.

Chapter 53, Section 72A. Time for holding city or town caucuses.

Chapter 53, Section 73. Caucuses held by precincts or groups of precincts; notice.

Chapter 53, Section 74. Caucuses relative to special elections.

Chapter 53, Section 75. Calling of caucuses; notice.

Chapter 53, Section 76. Persons entitled to vote or take part in caucuses; oath; challenges; penalties.

Chapter 53, Section 77. Balloting; use of voting lists.

Chapter 53, Section 78. Tie vote for caucus officers.

Chapter 53, Section 79. Certificate of election; notice of nomination.

Chapter 53, Section 80. Returns of caucuses at which direct nominations are made; tabulation of results; notice; recounts.

Chapter 53, Section 81. Tie votes in direct nominations; filling vacancies.

PROVISIONS APPLYING TO CAUCUSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES AT WHICH OFFICIAL BALLOTS ARE NOT USED.

Chapter 53, Section 82. Polling places provided; notice.

Chapter 53, Section 83. Notice of caucuses; procedure.

Chapter 53, Section 84. Balloting; duration.

Chapter 53, Section 85. Tie vote for elective office; proceedings.

Chapter 53, Section 86. Ballots and check lists; transmission to city or town clerk; preservation.

Chapter 53, Section 87. Contested elections or nominations; preservation of ballots; notice; recount; penalties.

PROVISIONS APPLYING TO CAUCUSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES AT WHICH OFFICIAL BALLOTS ARE USED.

Chapter 53, Section 88. Calling of caucuses.

Chapter 53, Section 89. Adoption of law for official ballots; calling caucuses; notice.

Chapter 53, Section 90. Revocation of acceptance of special provision; notice.

Chapter 53, Section 91. Time of holding caucuses.

Chapter 53, Section 92. Notices of caucuses; contents.

Chapter 53, Section 93. Provision of polling places; voting lines.

Chapter 53, Section 94. Notice by city or town committees.

Chapter 53, Section 95. Blank nomination papers; contents.

Chapter 53, Section 96. Nominations made by nomination papers; acceptance; vacancies.

Chapter 53, Section 97. Nomination papers; sealing; filing; opening.

Chapter 53, Section 98. Correction of errors; notice.

Chapter 53, Section 99. Proceedings in cities when papers not filed; filling vacancies.

Chapter 53, Section 100. Proceedings in towns when papers not filed.

Chapter 53, Section 101. Withdrawals; filling vacancies.

Chapter 53, Section 102. Nomination papers; delivery to city or town clerk.

Chapter 53, Section 103. Nomination papers; correction of errors.

Chapter 53, Section 104. Objections to nomination papers.

Chapter 53, Section 105. Ballots; provision by cities or towns.

Chapter 53, Section 106. Form of official ballot.

Chapter 53, Section 107. Applicability of certain laws.

Chapter 53, Section 108. Order of business.

Chapter 53, Section 109. Challenges.

Chapter 53, Section 110. Counting of ballots; announcing result; sealing; transmittal of records.

Chapter 53, Section 111. Voting lists; certified copies.

Chapter 53, Section 112. Recount of ballots.

Chapter 53, Section 113. Caucus officers; eligibility; terms; oaths; duties.

Chapter 53, Section 114. Vacancies; additional officers.

Chapter 53, Section 115. Appointment of officers for first caucus.

Chapter 53, Section 116. Caucus officers in newly incorporated cities or cities redivided into wards.

PROVISIONS APPLYING TO CAUCUSES OTHER THAN THOSE OF POLITICAL PARTIES.

Chapter 53, Section 117. Caucuses to nominate municipal officers; convention delegates; committees.

Chapter 53, Section 118. Notice of caucus; chairman; order of business.

Chapter 53, Section 119. Elections by ballot; written request.

Chapter 53, Section 120. Preservation of ballots and voting lists.

Chapter 53, Section 121. Calling town caucus at annual meeting; rescission; nominations; tie vote.

PROVISIONS APPLYING TO REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT-WIDE ELECTIONS.

Chapter 53, Section 122. Regional school district-wide elections; applicable provisions.


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