Massachusetts § 44C - Candidates for nomination; qualifications; statement and petition

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 44C — Candidates for nomination; qualifications; statement and petition, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 44C. Candidates for nomination; qualifications; statement and petition

Section 44C. Any person who is qualified to vote for a candidate for any elective municipal office and who is a candidate for nomination thereto, shall be entitled to have his name as such candidate printed on the official ballot to be used at a preliminary election; provided, that within the time prescribed by section ten of chapter fifty-three in the case of preliminary elections in cities he shall file with the city clerk a statement in writing of his candidacy, and with it the petition of at least fifty voters, qualified to vote for a candidate for the said office. Said statement and petition shall be in substantially the following form:—

Statement of Candidate

I ( ), on oath declare that I reside at (number if any) on (name of street) in the city of ; that I am a voter therein, qualified to vote for a candidate for the hereinafter mentioned office; that I am a candidate for the office of (name of office) for (state the term) to be vote for at the preliminary election to be held on Tuesday, the day of , nineteen hundred and , and I request that my name be printed as such candidate on the official ballot for use at said preliminary election.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

ss.

Subscribed and sworn to on thisday of , nineteen hundred andbefore me,

Petition Accompanying Statement of Candidate

Whereas (name of candidate) is a candidate for nomination for the office of (state the office) for (state the term), we, the undersigned, voters of the city of , duly qualified to vote for a candidate for said office, do hereby request that the name of said (name of candidate) as a candidate for nomination for said office be printed on the official ballot to be used at the preliminary election to be held on the Tuesday of , nineteen hundred and .

We further state that we believe him to be of good moral character and qualified to perform the duties of the office.

No acceptance by the candidate for nomination named in the said petition shall be necessary to its validity or its filing, and the petition, which may be on one or more papers, need not be sworn to.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 44C

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 44C cover?

Section 44C ("Candidates for nomination; qualifications; statement and petition") 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 § 44C?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 44C" (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 § 44C 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.