Massachusetts § 15 - Dates of elections under adopted plan; municipal year defined
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 15 — Dates of elections under adopted plan; municipal year defined, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 15. Dates of elections under adopted plan; municipal year defined
Section 15. After the adoption by any city of any plan provided for by this chapter
(a) If the plan adopted provides for annual elections, regular municipal elections under said plan shall take place in the year following its adoption, and thereafter, on the Tuesday next following the first Monday of December in each year; provided, that if said city accepts or has accepted section one hundred and three A of chapter fifty-four all regular municipal elections under such plan following such acceptance shall take place on the third Tuesday of December in each year;
(b) If the plan adopted provides for elections to be held biennially in every even-numbered year, the regular municipal election next succeeding the adoption of such plan shall take place on the Tuesday following the first Monday of December in the even-numbered year next succeeding the year of its adoption, and regular municipal elections thereafter shall take place on the Tuesday next following the first Monday of December in every even-numbered year; provided, that in any such city which accepts or has accepted said section one hundred and three A all regular municipal elections under said plan following such acceptance shall take place biennially on the third Tuesday of December in every even-numbered year; and
(c) If the plan adopted provides for elections to be held biennially in every odd-numbered year, the first regular municipal election following its adoption shall take place in the odd-numbered year next succeeding the year of its adoption on the day fixed for the holding of such elections under the laws in effect in such city immediately prior to such adoption, and regular municipal elections thereafter shall take place in every odd-numbered year on the day fixed as aforesaid; provided, that in any city which adopts Plan E all regular municipal elections shall take place as provided in section one hundred and nine.
In each city adopting any plan provided for by this chapter, the municipal year shall begin and end at ten o'clock in the morning of the first Monday of January in each year.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 15
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 15 cover?
Section 15 ("Dates of elections under adopted plan; municipal year defined") 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 § 15?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 15" (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 § 15 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
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