Availability

Nomination papers are available from the Secretary of State and may be requested in person, by telephone or mail. Some local clerks and election commissioners in the district may also have nomination papers available. Call the Elections Division to request papers or find out whether they are available in the district. Please be aware that nomination papers for unenrolled candidates are available only at the Elections Division at the Boston office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The law allows a candidate to make exact copies of blank nomination papers in order to gather additional signatures. However, do not alter the nomination papers in any way. Additional markings on the papers may disqualify any signatures contained thereon.

File Early

Nomination papers must be submitted to the local board of registrars or election commission for the certification of names. It is advisable to deliver the papers by hand to ensure their timely delivery. The local board of registrars or election commissioners must complete their certification of names 24 hours prior to the filing deadline with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The signatures of at least three members of the board of registrars or election commission must appear next to the number of certified signatures.

Nomination papers must be picked up from the board of registrars or election commission after certification and filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth prior to the deadline in the special election calendar. Papers sent by mail and received in the Elections Division after the deadline will not be accepted even if they were postmarked before the deadline time and date.