Bill H.693

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3238 FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 693

By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 693) of Russell E. Holmes relative to special election scheduling. Election Laws.

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4033 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to special election scheduling.

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. Chapter 54 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 63 the following section:-

Section 63A. When a vacancy occurs in an elected municipal office, voting for such office shall occur in accordance with section 63 and such voting shall occur on the day of the next general municipal or state election called pursuant to sections 62 or 63, whichever comes first; provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

SECTION 2. Said chapter 54, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out sections 140 to 144, inclusive, and inserting in place thereof the following 5 sections: –

Section 140. (a) Upon failure to choose a senator or representative in congress or upon creation of a vacancy in that office, the governor shall immediately cause precepts to be issued to the aldermen in every city and the selectmen in every town in the district, directing them to call an election on the day of the next general municipal or state election called pursuant to sections 62 or 63, whichever comes first; provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

(b) A senator elected to fill a vacancy under this section shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(c) Upon failure to choose a senator in congress or upon a vacancy in that office, the governor shall make a temporary appointment to fill the vacancy; provided, however, that the person so appointed shall serve until the election and qualification of the person duly elected to fill the vacancy pursuant to subsection (a); and provided further, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

Section 141. Upon a vacancy in the office of representative in the general court or upon failure to elect, the speaker of the house of representatives shall issue precepts to the aldermen of each city and the selectmen of each town comprising the district or any part thereof, directing them to call an election on the day of the next general municipal or state election called pursuant to sections 62 or 63, whichever comes first; provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

Section 142. (a) Upon failure to choose a district attorney, clerk of the courts or in Suffolk county of the supreme judicial or superior court, register of probate or sheriff, the governor shall cause precepts to be issued to the proper officers, directing them to call an election on the day of the next general municipal or state election called pursuant to sections 62 or 63, whichever comes first; provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

(b) Upon a vacancy in the office of district attorney, register of probate or sheriff, the governor with the advice and consent of the council may appoint some person thereto until the election and qualification of the person duly elected to fill the vacancy pursuant to subsection (a); provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

(c) Upon a vacancy in the office of clerk of the courts in any county, or of the clerk of the supreme judicial court in Suffolk county, the justices of said court may appoint a clerk to hold the office until the election and qualification of the person duly elected to fill the vacancy pursuant to subsection (a); provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

(d) Upon a vacancy in the office of a clerk of the superior court in Suffolk county, the justices of said court may appoint a clerk to hold the until the election and qualification of the person duly elected to fill the vacancy pursuant to subsection (a); provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

Section 143. Upon failure to choose a county treasurer or a register of deeds for a county or district, except Suffolk and Nantucket counties, the county commissioners shall forthwith issue precepts to the aldermen of each city and the selectmen of each town in such county or district, directing them to call an election for the election of such officer on the day of the next general municipal or state election, called pursuant to sections 62 or 63, whichever comes first; provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

Upon a vacancy by removal or otherwise in the office of county treasurer or of register of deeds in a county or district, except in Suffolk and Nantucket counties, the county commissioners shall in like manner issue precepts for an election to fill such vacancy on the day of the next general municipal or state election, called pursuant to sections 62 or 63, whichever comes first and may appoint some person to fill such office until a person is elected thereto and qualified; provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election. The person so appointed shall give bond as provided in section three of chapter thirty-five or section three of chapter thirty-six, as the case may be.

Upon failure to choose a register of deeds in Suffolk county, or upon a vacancy in that office, the city council of Boston shall call meetings to elect a register of deeds or to fill such vacancy, as is above provided for an election in other counties; and, upon a vacancy in that office in said Suffolk county, the superior court shall appoint some person to the office until a person is elected thereto and qualified.

Upon failure to choose a register of deeds in Nantucket county, or upon a vacancy in that office, the selectmen of the town of Nantucket shall call a meeting to elect a register of deeds as is above provided for an election in other counties, and may appoint some person to the office until a person is elected thereto and qualified.

Section 144. Upon failure to choose a county commissioner, the board of examiners shall forthwith issue precepts to the aldermen of each city and to the selectmen of each town in such county, directing them to call an election to elect such officer on the day of the next general municipal or state election called pursuant to sections 62 or 63, whichever comes first; provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

Upon a vacancy by removal or otherwise in the office of county commissioner, the board of examiners shall in like manner issue precepts for an election to fill such vacancy on the day of the next general municipal or state election, called pursuant to sections 62 or 63, whichever comes first; provided however, that if such vacancy occurs within 60 days of such election the vacancy shall not be filled and the office shall remain open until the next election.

Also upon such vacancy, the two remaining county commissioners and the clerk of the courts for the county, or a majority of them, may appoint a person, not a resident of the same town as either of the remaining commissioners, to fill the office of county commissioner until a person is elected thereto and qualified.

Name:	District/Address:	Date Added:
Russell E. Holmes	6th Suffolk	1/20/2023