Bill > H4531

This bill establishes specific procedural provisions for the 2026 state primary election in Massachusetts, setting the primary date on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, and providing detailed timelines for various election-related activities. The bill outlines specific deadlines for candidates to file written acceptances of nominations, submit financial interest statements, and file objections or withdrawals from nominations. It allows an executive committee of the state party committee to fill vacancies caused by death, withdrawal, or ineligibility of candidates, with a deadline of 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, for filing replacement nominations. The bill also specifies procedures for primary election recounts, including filing petitions by 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, and completing recounts by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, September 11, 2026. Additionally, the bill grants the state secretary flexibility to modify dates related to the primary election nominations to ensure orderly administration of the November 3, 2026 state election. The bill is declared an emergency law to immediately establish the primary election date and related procedures.

House Committee on Ways and Means (House)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4531