§ 1 False listings by registrars, listing board members, police officers or interpreters
§ 2 Misconduct of registrars or assistants
§ 3 Neglect of duty; registrars or assistants, listing board members, or police officers
§ 4 Refusal or neglect to give information to registrars or other authorized persons
§ 5 Giving false information
§ 6 False affidavits and oaths
§ 7 Aiding or abetting false affidavits or oaths
§ 8 Illegal registration
§ 9 Misconduct at registration
§ 10 Defacing or removing notices or voting lists
§ 11 Wilful alteration, mutilation, or destruction of nomination papers, etc.; subscribing to false statements
§ 11A False or willful alteration of district designation on nomination papers
§ 12 Misconduct of officers; failure to perform duties
§ 13 Challenged ballots; failure to make proper entry
§ 14 Protected information; penalties
§ 15 Reading or showing names selected on ballots during election
§ 16 Improper disposition of ballots and lists
§ 17 Unlawful examination of ballots after election
§ 18 Failure to make and transmit election records
§ 19 False certificates of election results
§ 21 Misconduct relating to absent voting
§ 22 Public officers, election officers, etc.; failure to perform duties
§ 23 Notices or warrants; defacement or removal
§ 24 Lists of candidates; instructions for voters; supplies; defacement or destruction
§ 25 Distinguishing marks; false statements or oaths
§ 26 Illegal voting or attempt to vote
§ 27 Absent voting laws; violations
§ 27A Unlawful distribution of absent voter ballots
§ 28 Illegal voting; aiding or abetting
§ 29 Unlawful interference with voter
§ 30 Obstruction of voting
§ 31 Illegal challenges
§ 32 Bribery of voter
§ 33 Employers; influencing votes of employees; penalties
§ 34 Promising public appointments
§ 35 Promising public appointments for political action
§ 36 Public officers and employees; influencing political action
§ 37 Public officers and employees; initiative and referendum; promotion or opposition for hire
§ 38 Editorial support; payment for or receipt of payment
§ 39 Publishing political advertisements; statement; names; signatures
§ 40 Using names of political parties; restrictions
§ 41A Unauthorized use of endorsements
§ 42 False statements relating to candidates or questions submitted to voters
§ 43 Interference with distribution of printed matter
§ 43A Use of word ”veteran” by candidates
§ 44 Lists of candidates without party designations; distribution
§ 44A Lists of candidates; distribution; signatures of responsible voters
§ 45 Naturalization fees; payment or promise of payment
§ 46 Disorderly conduct at polling places
§ 47 Disobeying election, caucus or primary officers
§ 48 Interfering with election officials
§ 49 Obstructing transmission of ballots or returns
§ 50 Alteration or removal of ballots
§ 51 Tampering with voting machines
§ 52 Forgery, destruction or defacement of ballots
§ 53 Distinguishing marks on ballots
§ 54 Removing ballots from within guard rail
§ 55 Fraudulent alteration or removal of ballots
§ 56 Challenged ballots; giving information about vote
§ 57 Arrest without warrant
§ 58 Prosecutions; trial and judgments; motions for other dispositions
§ 59 Supreme judicial court; superior court departments; jurisdiction
§ 60 Conduct contrary to election laws; remedies
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Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 56 - Violations of Election Laws

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Caucus: From the Algonquian Indian language, a caucus meant "to meet together." An informal organization of members of the legislature that exists to discuss issues of mutual concern and possibly to perform legislative research and policy planning for its members. There are regional, political or ideological, ethnic, and economic-based caucuses.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Interests: includes any form of membership in a domestic or foreign nonprofit corporation. See Massachusetts General Laws ch. 156D sec. 11.01
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.