Massachusetts § 42A - Questions submitted to voters; designation
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 42A — Questions submitted to voters; designation, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 42A. Questions submitted to voters; designation
Section 42A. The state secretary and the city or town clerks shall cause each question appearing upon ballots prepared by them to be designated as follows: Questions submitted to the people under Article XLVIII of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth shall appear first in order upon the ballot numbered consecutively, and the first such question so appearing shall be designated by the numeral 1; additional questions shall follow numbered so that all questions appearing upon such ballot shall be numbered consecutively; provided, however, that the fair, concise summary of any measure submitted to the voters under the provisions of said Article XLVIII shall be accompanied on the ballot by the one sentence statement describing the effect of a yes or no vote, prepared as required in section 53. The questions required to be placed upon the official ballot at a biennial state election by section eleven of chapter one hundred and thirty-eight shall be numbered as a single question having three parts, and the questions required to be placed upon the official ballot at such an election by section fourteen of chapter one hundred and twenty-eight A shall be numbered as a single question having two parts.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 42A
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 42A cover?
Section 42A ("Questions submitted to voters; designation") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 42A?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 42A" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 42A apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.