Handbook·Elections

Running for office in Massachusetts

State page·Verified 2026-07-10

This page covers what's specific to Massachusetts on top of the general guide to filing for local office.

Filing in Massachusetts

Massachusetts splits filing between two authorities. State legislative candidates file nomination papers with the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Elections Division. Local candidates, including city council and school committee, file with their city or town clerk instead, and municipal election rules and calendars are set locally rather than by the state. Local nomination papers need to reach the local board of registrars for signature certification before they're due at the clerk's office, so build that extra step into your timeline.

Deadlines and numbers

  • State Representative: at least 150 certified signatures, no filing fee
  • State Senator: at least 300 certified signatures, no filing fee
  • Local office and regional school committee: nomination papers signed by at least 1 percent of the vote cast for governor in that district at the last biennial state election, with a floor of 20 and a cap of 50 signatures, no state filing fee
  • 2026 state legislative filing deadline: May 26, 2026
  • 2026 State Primary: September 1, 2026. State Election: November 3, 2026
  • Local nomination papers must reach the local board of registrars for certification by 5:00pm on the 14th day before they're due to the clerk

The dossier couldn't confirm a statewide filing fee for city or town office, since any fee is set locally and varies by municipality. Filing deadlines for city council and school committee races also vary by municipality's own election calendar, since many Massachusetts cities hold municipal elections in odd years. Confirm both with your city or town clerk or /engage.

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