2024 Post-Primary Candidate Deadlines
In accordance with Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2023, certain deadlines relating to the September 3, 2024 State Primaries have changed.
Please refer to the deadlines below if you are:
- A write-in candidate in the State Primary
- A candidate petitioning for a recount of State Primary results
- A candidate who was nominated at the State Primaries who wishes to withdraw from the State Election ballot
- A registered voter seeking to object to a nomination made at the State Primaries
Write-in Candidates
In order to be nominated by write-in vote, you must receive at least as many votes as the number of signatures required for ballot access. Please refer to our page on How to Run for Office in 2024 for the number of signatures required for each office and district.
In order to qualify for the November State Election ballot, you must also file a written acceptance of the nomination and an Ethics Receipt from the State Ethics Commission that shows you have filed a Statement of Financial Interests (SFI) with that office.
The written acceptance and Ethics Receipt must be filed with the Elections Division no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
Because State Primary results will not be certified by local election officials until Saturday, September 7, 2024, you must file this paperwork if you believe, based on unofficial results, that you have received enough votes to be nominated.
Contact the Elections Division at elections@sec.state.ma.us to request the form for filing a written acceptance of the nomination. For information about filing an SFI, contact the State Ethics Commission.
Recounts
Recounts may be requested at the precinct level or district level. In order to qualify for a districtwide recount, the certified margin between candidates must be less than one-half of one percent (0.5%).
You may find additional information on recounts in the Elections Division’s handbook on Election Recounts.
Precinct-Level Recounts
The deadline to file precinct-level recount petitions with local election officials is 5 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024.
The deadline for local election officials to complete precinct-level recounts and notify the Elections Division of results is 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
Districtwide Recounts
The deadline for candidates to file petitions for a districtwide recount with local election officials is 12 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024.
The deadline for local election officials to complete certification on districtwide recount petitions is 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
The deadline for candidates to file districtwide recount petitions with the Elections Division is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
The deadline for local election officials to complete a districtwide recount and notify the Elections Division of results is 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
Objections & Withdrawals
Candidates nominated at the State Primaries may withdraw from the November ballot. Registered voters of the district may also file objections to nominations made at the State Primaries. Contact the Elections Division for forms and information about withdrawing or objecting.
Withdrawals
The deadline for a candidate nominated in a State Primary to file a notarized withdrawal from the State Election ballot is 12 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024.
The deadline for an executive committee of a state party committee to fill a vacancy caused by a withdrawal is 5 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Objections
The deadline to file an objection to a nomination made at a State Primary is 12 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024.
The deadline for the State Ballot Law Commission to notify candidates of challenges to nominations is 5 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024.
The State Ballot Law Commission will hold hearings on any challenges to nominations, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
The State Ballot Law Commission must render decisions on objections no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, September 16, 2024.