GENERAL LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS

CHAPTER 54. ELECTIONS.


WARDS AND VOTING PRECINCTS.

Chapter 54, Section 1. Decennial division of cities into wards and precincts.

Chapter 54, Section 2. Division of cities and wards into voting precincts; census; effect upon formation of congressional, representative, senatorial or councillor districts.

Chapter 54, Section 3. Repealed.

Chapter 54, Section 4. New divisions of cities into wards, when effective; congressional districts.

Chapter 54, Section 5. Maps or description of new divisions; publication and posting.

Chapter 54, Section 6. Division of towns into voting precincts.

Chapter 54, Section 7. Changes in voting precincts of towns.

Chapter 54, Section 7A. Dividing precincts to facilitate voting; applicable laws .

Chapter 54, Section 8. Maps or descriptions of new precincts; posting.

Chapter 54, Section 9. Discontinuance of voting precincts.

Chapter 54, Section 9A. Redivision into precincts or districts; election thereafter; census.

Chapter 54, Section 10. Changes in wards; notice to state secretary.


ELECTION OFFICERS.

Chapter 54, Section 11. Election officers in certain cities.

Chapter 54, Section 11A. Deputies.

Chapter 54, Section 11B. Filing for appointment in cities; procedure; eligibility; examinations.

Chapter 54, Section 12. Election officers in towns; procedure; eligibility; examinations.

Chapter 54, Section 13. Party representation; term of office; removal.

Chapter 54, Section 14. Vacancies; filling.

Chapter 54, Section 15. Eligibility of candidates.

Chapter 54, Section 16. Deputies; duties.

Chapter 54, Section 16A. Vacancies; appointments to fill.

Chapter 54, Section 17. Ballot clerks; duties.

Chapter 54, Section 18, 19. Repealed.

Chapter 54, Section 20. Oath of office.

Chapter 54, Section 21. Repealed.

Chapter 54, Section 22. Compensation of election officers.

Chapter 54, Section 23. Supervisors of elections; political party representation; violations.


VOTING PLACES.

Chapter 54, Section 24. Designation of polling places.

Chapter 54, Section 25. Marking shelves and guard rails.

Chapter 54, Section 25A. Display of national flag.


BALLOT BOXES, VOTING MACHINES, COUNTING APPARATUS AND BLANKS.

Chapter 54, Section 26. State ballot boxes; furnishing.

Chapter 54, Section 27. Blank forms and envelopes for returns; furnishing; tampering or destruction, penalties.

Chapter 54, Section 28. Care, custody and repair of ballot boxes, voting machines.

Chapter 54, Section 29. Replacement of defective, lost or destroyed ballot boxes.

Chapter 54, Section 30. Voting place or precinct seals; use and custody.

Chapter 54, Section 30A. Custodians of voting machines; duties; eligibility.

Chapter 54, Section 31. Sending ballot boxes, blank forms, and counting apparatus to polls; installation of voting machines; voters' authority certificates.

Chapter 54, Section 32. Examination and approval of voting equipment.

Chapter 54, Section 33. Requirements and use of voting machines, electronic voting systems, and ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 33A. Additional requirements of voting machines.

Chapter 54, Section 33B. Use of voting machines; regulations; mechanical failures.

Chapter 54, Section 33C. Instructions to voter after entering voting machine booth; re-entry after voting.

Chapter 54, Section 33D. Voting for persons not listed on ballot labels of machine.

Chapter 54, Section 33E. Electronic voting systems; marking implements; stickers or pasters on ballots; inspection; instructions to voters; write in candidates.

Chapter 54, Section 33F. Computers and counting units; central tabulation centers; preparation; testing.

Chapter 54, Section 33G. Lease or purchase of marking units or tabulating units; bonds of manufacturers or distributors.

Chapter 54, Section 33H. Election officers for tabulation center; tabulation of votes.

Chapter 54, Section 34. Use of voting machines by cities and towns.

Chapter 54, Section 35. Public exhibition of voting machines and instruction to voters; delivery to polls; examination by candidates; etc.

Chapter 54, Section 35A. Challenged or absent voting ballots where voting machines used; questions submitted to voters.

Chapter 54, Section 35B. Casting challenged votes where voting machines used; counting votes.

Chapter 54, Section 36. Number of election officers when voting machines used.

Chapter 54, Section 37. Regulations for use of voting equipment, ballots boxes, etc.

Chapter 54, Section 38. Repealed.

Chapter 54, Section 39. Seller's bonds; electronic voting system, voting machines or ballot boxes.


PREPARATION AND FORM OF BALLOTS.

Chapter 54, Section 40. Preparation and furnishing.

Chapter 54, Section 41. Names; residences; political designations; incumbents.

Chapter 54, Section 41A. Governor and lieutenant governor candidates; grouping party nominees; order.

Chapter 54, Section 42. Arrangement of names; blank spaces; name of city or town, etc.

Chapter 54, Section 42A. Question submitted to voters; designation.

Chapter 54, Section 42B. Public policy questions; placement on ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 42C. Deadline for ballot questions.

Chapter 54, Section 43. Presidential electors; arrangement of names.

Chapter 54, Section 43A. State elections and primaries; officers to be elected; manner and order of appearance on ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 44. Official ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 45. Number of ballots provided; ballot labels for voting machines.

Chapter 54, Section 46. Packaging ballots; record.

Chapter 54, Section 47. Vacancies; printing ballots.


INFORMATION TO VOTERS.

Chapter 54, Section 48. Cards of instruction; specimen ballots; copies of information for voters material.

Chapter 54, Section 49. Lists of candidates; copies of proposed constitutional amendments or laws.

Chapter 54, Section 50. City elections; posting names of candidates.

Chapter 54, Section 51. Town elections; posting names of candidates.

Chapter 54, Section 52. Lists of candidates; questions submitted to voters; availability for publication; state and city elections.

Chapter 54, Section 53. Mailing lists of voters; copies of measures, summaries; ballot question titles; statements and arguments to voters; public examination; petition for amendment.

Chapter 54, Section 54. Arguments on measures; preparation; submission, filing; printing; mailing.

Chapter 54, Section 55 to 58. Repealed, 1991, 234, Sec. 11.

Chapter 54, Section 58A. General Laws submitted to municipal voters for acceptance; form of question; filing date.


DELIVERY OF BALLOTS, ETC.

Chapter 54, Section 59. Packing and delivery of ballots to city or town clerks.

Chapter 54, Section 60. Duties of city and town clerks; delivery to polls; receipts.

Chapter 54, Section 61. Failure to deliver; substitute ballots.


CALLING OF ELECTIONS.

Chapter 54, Section 62. Biennial state elections.

Chapter 54, Section 63. Calling city and town elections; notice.

Chapter 54, Section 64. Notices or warrants; requisites; time of opening and closing polls.


CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS.

Chapter 54, Section 65. Activities at polling place; regulations; penalties.

Chapter 54, Section 66. State ballot boxes; use and custody.

Chapter 54, Section 67. Voting lists; delivery and use; voting by persons not on list.

Chapter 54, Section 67A. Additional state ballot boxes; use in towns.

Chapter 54, Section 68. Statements made before public declaration of vote; penalties.

Chapter 54, Section 69. Persons permitted within guard rail.

Chapter 54, Section 70. Number of voters permitted within guard rail; voters in line at closing time.

Chapter 54, Section 71. Presiding officers; powers and duties.

Chapter 54, Section 71A. Supervision of election officers in cities and towns.

Chapter 54, Section 72. Preservation of order by police.

Chapter 54, Section 73. Smoking or intoxicating liquors in polling places prohibited; penalties.

Chapter 54, Section 74. Detention of offenders; effect on right to vote.

Chapter 54, Section 75. Report of violations; prosecutions.


MANNER OF VOTING.

Chapter 54, Section 76. Voting; giving name and address upon request; delivery of ballot.

Chapter 54, Section 76A. Repealed, 1975, 95.

Chapter 54, Section 76B. Failure to present voter identification; right to challenge vote.

Chapter 54, Section 77. Marking ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 77A. Repealed, 1972, 400, Sec. 8.

Chapter 54, Section 78. Voting for presidential electors, governor, and lieutenant governor; marking ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 78A. List of candidates for electors pledged to presidential candidates other than those on official ballot; written acceptances; filing; certification; form of write-in or sticker vote.

Chapter 54, Section 79. Assistance in marking ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 80. Prohibited markings; use of red pencils or red ink by election officers.

Chapter 54, Section 81. Spoiled ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 82. Folding ballots; time for marking ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 83. Deposit of ballots, voting list check, endorsement.

Chapter 54, Section 84. Removal of ballots before close of polls.

Chapter 54, Section 85. Challenge of person's right to vote, proceedures.

Chapter 54, Section 85A. Challengers.


ABSENT VOTERS.

Chapter 54, Section 86. Absent or physically disabled voters.

Chapter 54, Section 87. Preparation of absent voting ballots, envelopes, instructions.

Chapter 54, Section 88. Distribution of absent voting ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 89. Applications; seasonably filed; spoiled ballots; application by family member.

Chapter 54, Section 89A. Repealed, 1993, 475, Sec. 37.

Chapter 54, Section 90. Repealed, 1946, 140, Sec. 14.

Chapter 54, Section 91. Applications; filing and certification; notation on voting lists; posting.

Chapter 54, Section 91A. Applications of specially qualified voters.

Chapter 54, Section 91B. Delivery of ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 92. Method of voting.

Chapter 54, Section 93. Time for mailing or delivering ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 94. Examination of ballots; acceptance or rejection.

Chapter 54, Section 95. Duties of election officers.

Chapter 54, Section 96. Challenges.

Chapter 54, Section 97. Immaterial irregularities.

Chapter 54, Section 98. Absent voter unable to mark ballot.

Chapter 54, Section 99. Late ballots; disposition.

Chapter 54, Section 100. Voting in person; death of absent voter.

Chapter 54, Section 101. Repealed, 1987, 438, Sec. 8.

Chapter 54, Section 102. Printed information and instructions as to absent voting.

Chapter 54, Section 103. Jurisdiction of courts.

Chapter 54, Section 103A. Sections applicable to city and town elections, primaries and caucuses, and to regional vocational school district elections.


ABSENT VOTING FOR SPECIALLY QUALIFIED VOTERS.

Chapter 54, Section 103B to 103H. Repealed.

Chapter 54, Section 103C. Persons entitled to absentee ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 103D. Application for absentee ballot.

Chapter 54, Section 103E. Preparation and delivery of ballots and papers.

Chapter 54, Section 103F. Size of ballots, envelopes and type.

Chapter 54, Section 103G. Processing of applications and mailing of ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 103H. Manner of voting.

Chapter 54, Section 103I. Repealed.

Chapter 54, Section 103J--103O.

Chapter 54, Section 103K. Investigation of applications.

Chapter 54, Section 103L. Voting lists.

Chapter 54, Section 103M. Copies of voting lists.

Chapter 54, Section 103N. Minors; law applicable.

Chapter 54, Section 103O. Preparation of blank forms.

Chapter 54, Section 103P. City or town elections; preliminary elections or primaries.

Chapter 54, Section 103Q. Informality; liberal construction.


COUNTING OF VOTES.

Chapter 54, Section 104. Use of state blanks and apparatus; canvass of votes.

Chapter 54, Section 105. Proceedings at close of polls; counting votes; announcing and recording results.

Chapter 54, Section 105A. Electronic voting methods; proceedings at close of polls; counting of ballots; announcement of vote; transportation to tabulation center.

Chapter 54, Section 106. Defective ballots.

Chapter 54, Section 107. Enclosing and sealing ballots and voting lists; certification.

Chapter 54, Section 108. Copies of voting lists as checked.

Chapter 54, Section 109. Ballots and lists; custody; disposition.


RECORDS AND CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION.
Copies of Records Prepared in Cities and Towns.

Chapter 54, Section 110. Rejection of records.

Chapter 54, Section 110A. Central tabulation facilities.

Chapter 54, Section 111. Examination of precinct records; errors; certification.

Chapter 54, Section 112. Copies of records of votes to state secretary.

Chapter 54, Section 113. Unsealed copies transmitted to state secretary; proceedings.

Chapter 54, Section 114. Endorsement of memorandum of receipt.


Examination and Certification by Governor and Council, etc.

Chapter 54, Section 115. Copies of records of votes to governor and council; examination; determination of results.

Chapter 54, Section 116. Certification of results; summonses; certificates of election.

Chapter 54, Section 116A. Election of person not listed on state ballot; financial interest statement.

Chapter 54, Section 117. Return to state secretary; laying before legislature; filing.

Chapter 54, Section 118. Presidential electors; copies of records of votes; proclamations; certificate of election.


Contested Elections of Presidential Electors.

Chapter 54, Section 119. Petition to court for declaration of election; notice; hearing.

Chapter 54, Section 120. Procedure; compulsion and immunity of witness.


Examination and Certification of Records of Votes for Certain County Officers.

Chapter 54, Section 121. Examination of records; certificates of election; notice to state secretary.

Chapter 54, Section 122. Board of examiners; examinations by; certificates of election; notice to state secretary.


Correction of Records.

Chapter 54, Section 123. Incomplete records; new copies of returns.


Examination and Certification of Records of Votes for Representative.

Chapter 54, Section 124 to 128. Repealed, 1946, 130, Sec. 4.

Chapter 54, Section 129. Copies of returnsof votes; transmittal to secretary of state.


General Provisions relative to Records.

Chapter 54, Section 130. Number of ballots cast; statement at length.

Chapter 54, Section 131. Violations, effect on records.


Information to be certified by City and Town Clerks.

Chapter 54, Section 132. Number of names checked; certification.


Secretary's Report of Assessed Polls, etc.

Chapter 54, Section 133. Number of registered voters; etc.; report.


RECOUNTS OF VOTES.

Chapter 54, Section 134. Contested elections; retention of ballots; recounts.

Chapter 54, Section 135. Petition for recount; filing; contents; examination; recounts; notice; amendment of record.

Chapter 54, Section 135A. Recount where voting machines used; period during which machines locked and sealed.

Chapter 54, Section 135B. Recount where electronic voting system used; petition specifying recount by board.

Chapter 54, Section 136. Information regarding ballots cast by challenged voters.

Chapter 54, Section 137. Election results in cities; declaration before recounts; certificates of election.


PROCEEDINGS UPON FAILURE TO ELECT, AND VACANCIES IN STATE OFFICES.

Chapter 54, Section 138. Presidential electors.

Chapter 54, Section 139. Senatorial vacancies.

Chapter 54, Section 140. Representatives in congress; vacancies.

Chapter 54, Section 141. Representatives in general court; vacancies.

Chapter 54, Section 142. District attorneys and county officers.

Chapter 54, Section 143. County treasurers; registers of deeds.

Chapter 54, Section 143A. Register of deeds; vacancies.

Chapter 54, Section 144. County commissioner.

Chapter 54, Section 145. Death after election but before term.

Chapter 54, Section 146. Notice to state secretary.

Chapter 54, Section 147. Elections to fill vacancies.


PROCEEDINGS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.

Chapter 54, Section 148. Meetings; organization; record of proceedings.

Chapter 54, Section 149. Compensation.


OFFICERS TO BE ELECTED AT STATE ELECTIONS.

Chapter 54, Section 150. State officers.

Chapter 54, Section 151. Presidential electors.

Chapter 54, Section 152. Senators in congress.

Chapter 54, Section 153. Representatives in congress.

Chapter 54, Section 154. District attorneys.

Chapter 54, Section 155. Clerks of courts.

Chapter 54, Section 156. Registers of probate.

Chapter 54, Section 157. Registers of deeds.

Chapter 54, Section 158. County commissioners.

Chapter 54, Section 159. Sheriffs.

Chapter 54, Section 160. County treasurers.

Chapter 54, Section 161. Repealed, 1972, 735, Sec. 10.

Chapter 54, Section 162. Regional district school committees members.


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