Massachusetts § 26 - Preservation of statements and reports by city or town clerk; public inspection and reproduction; posting of campaign finance reports required by Sec. 18 on website

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 26 — Preservation of statements and reports by city or town clerk; public inspection and reproduction; posting of campaign finance reports required by Sec. 18 on website, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 26. Preservation of statements and reports by city or town clerk; public inspection and reproduction; posting of campaign finance reports required by Sec. 18 on website

Section 26. The city or town clerk shall retain all statements and reports required to be filed with such clerk until December 31st of the sixth year following the relevant election. In the case of committees other than those authorized by a candidate, the city or town clerk shall retain all required statements and reports filed with such clerk until December 31st of the sixth year following the date that the statement or report was filed. Such statements and reports shall be available for convenient public inspection and copying at the office of the city or town clerk during normal business hours as soon as such statements and reports are filed with him. Within 30 days after the filing deadline, all campaign finance reports required to be filed with the city or town clerk under section 18 shall be made available for viewing on the internet website of the municipality if such municipality has such a website, if the report discloses that a candidate or committee filing a report has received contributions or made expenditures in excess of $1,000 during a reporting period or incurred liabilities or acquired or disposed of assets in excess of $1,000 during a reporting period.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 26

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 26 cover?

Section 26 ("Preservation of statements and reports by city or town clerk; public inspection and reproduction; posting of campaign finance reports required by Sec. 18 on website") 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 § 26?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 26" (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 § 26 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.