HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3295        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 51

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Angelo M. Scaccia

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the administration of special state primaries and elections in the year 2013.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3295        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 51

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act relative to the administration of special state primaries and elections in the year 2013.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to ensure a timely special election, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the state secretary, with the approval of the Governor, shall have the authority to add or change any dates relating to any special primary or election for Senator in Congress in the year 2013 as he deems necessary for the orderly administration of the election by providing notice of such change with the rules and regulations division, by posting on his website and by whatever other means he deems appropriate. 

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any general or special law, town charter or by-law to the contrary, if the date for holding a preliminary or town election or annual town meeting falls within thirty days before or after the date set for a special state primary or election, the town council, in a town having a town council and the board of selectmen in any other town, after consulting with the town clerk, may, by majority vote, establish a date before June 30, 2013, to conduct such preliminary, election or town meeting.  Any vote must occur at least 35 days before the day the election would be re-scheduled for.