Massachusetts State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Democrat
Session start:	January 1, 2025
Session end:	November 19, 2025
Term length:	2 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$73,655.01/year
Members
Total:	40
Democrats:	34
Republicans:	5
Other:	0
Vacancies:	1
Leadership
President:	Karen Spilka (D)
Maj. Leader:	Cynthia Stone Creem (D)
Min. Leader:	Bruce Tarr (R)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

TheMassachusetts State Senate is theupper chamber of theMassachusetts General Court. Alongside theMassachusetts House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Massachusetts state government and works alongside thegovernor of Massachusetts to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Massachusetts State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Massachusetts State Senate meets in the State House inBoston, Massachusetts.

This page contains the following information on the Massachusetts State Senate.

• Which partycontrols the chamber
• The chamber'scurrent membership
• Partisan control of the chamberover time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• Adistrict map
• Howredistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list ofcommittees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Massachusetts State Senate as of November 2025:

Members

Leadership

The Senate elects its president, who then appoints majority floor leaders and whips. The minority party elects its leaders in a party caucus.^[1][2]

Leadership and members

• Senate president:Karen Spilka (D)
• President Pro Tem:William Brownsberger (D)
• Majority leader:Cynthia Stone Creem (D)
• Minority leader:Bruce Tarr (R)

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Massachusetts legislators assume office the first Wednesday in January after the election.^[4]

Membership qualifications

See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article CI, Section 2 of theMassachusetts Constitution states: "Each district shall elect one senator, who shall have been an inhabitant of this Commonwealth five years at least immediately preceding his election and at the time of his election shall be an inhabitant of the district for which he is chosen; and he shall cease to represent such senatorial district when he shall cease to be an inhabitant of the Commonwealth."^[5]

According to theMassachusetts Secretary of State's office, an individual must be a registered voter to run for office.^[6]

Historical party control

Democrats won control of the Massachusetts State Senate in 1958. In2024, they won a 35-5 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Massachusetts Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Trifecta history

Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Massachusetts was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 2007-2014, 2023
• Republican trifecta: None
• Divided government: 1992-2006, 2015-2022

Elections

Elections by year

Massachusetts state senators servetwo-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Massachusetts holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for theMassachusetts State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026.

2024

See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for theMassachusetts State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasSeptember 3, 2024. The filing deadline wasMay 28, 2024.^[7]

In the 2024 elections, Democrats lost one seat but maintained their majority in the Massachusetts State Senate. The Democratic majority went from 36-4 to 35-5.

2022

See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for theMassachusetts State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 6, 2022. The filing deadline was May 31, 2022.

In the November 2022 election, Democrats won a vacant seat and maintained their 37-3 majority in the Massachusetts State Senate.

2020

See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofMassachusetts State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 1, 2020. The local filing deadline was May 5, 2020, and the state filing deadline was June 2, 2020.^[8]

In the November 2020 election, Democrats increased their majority in the Massachusetts State Senate by one seat for a margin of 37-3.

2018

See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for theMassachusetts State Senate took place in 2018. Thesemi-closed primary election took place on September 4, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasJune 5, 2018.

In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Massachusetts State Senate from 31-7 to 34-6.

2016

See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for theMassachusetts State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016. All40 seats in theMassachusetts State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Democrats held a 34-6 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014 See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for theMassachusetts State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 36-4 majority. Democrats lost two seats in the election, giving them a 34-6 majority. Massachusetts State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 36 34      Republican Party 4 6 Total 40 40 2012 See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 18, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 29, 2012. Atotal of 40 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 35-4 majority with one vacancy. Democrats gained one seat in the election, giving them a 36-4 majority. Massachusetts State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 35 36      Republican Party 4 4      Vacancy 1 0 Total 40 40 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Massachusetts State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent First Essex District Kathleen A. O'Connor Ives 12.3% 79,287 Shaun Toohey Plymouth and Barnstable District Therese Murray 16.3% 85,499 Thomas Francis Keyes Third Middlesex District Mike Barrett 21.2% 81,216 Sandra Martinez Bristol and Norfolk District James Timilty 25.1% 75,687 Jeffrey Bailey Middlesex and Worcester District James Eldridge 29.5% 81,719 Dean Cavaretta Second Essex and Middlesex District Barry Finegold 30.4% 68,110 Paul Adams Second Worcester District Michael Moore 35.9% 71,558 Stephen Simonian Fourth Middlesex District Kenneth Donnelly 36.3% 82,310 Gerry Dembrowski Plymouth and Norfolk District Robert Hedlund 36.7% 90,265 Genevieve Davis Second Essex District Joan B. Lovely 41.5% 79,273 Richard Jolitz 2010 See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010., and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 4, 2010, for partisan candidates and August 3, 2010, for independents. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 35-5 majority. Democrats gained one seat in the election, giving them a 36-4 majority. Massachusetts State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 35 36      Republican Party 5 4 Total 40 40 During the 2010 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $8,982,549. The top 10 donors were:[9] 2010 Donors, Massachusetts State Senate Donor Amount Massachusetts Democratic Party $400,290 Wolf, Daniel A $262,839 Rudnick, Charles S $154,577 Spadafora, Craig $80,600 Dahlberg, Eric $42,491 Moore, Richard T $41,433 Wilson Jr., John $36,000 Addivinola Jr., Frank J $32,511 Silberstein, Debra $30,000 Didomenico, Salvador N $27,400 2008 See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 16, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $7,993,572. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2008 Donors, Massachusetts State Senate Donor Amount Massachusetts Democratic Party $237,431 Massachusetts Republican Party $33,314 Retired Public Employees $31,800 Professional Fire Fighters Of Massachusetts $30,575 Bank Of America $24,581 Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 $23,800 Massachusetts Association Of Realtors $23,200 Martinez, Sandra B $20,105 Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union $19,500 Massachusetts Federation Of Teachers $18,800 2006 See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 19, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $7,948,867. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2006 Donors, Massachusetts State Senate Donor Amount Sharron, Helen $80,591 Massachusetts Democratic Party $72,385 Gonsalves, Joanna $64,002 Obey, Douglas E $49,275 Tisei, Richard R $35,500 Retired Public Employees $31,900 Cmte For A Democratic Senate Of Massachusetts $29,000 Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union $25,750 Massachusetts Association Of Realtors $25,500 Hodgkins, Christopher J $25,275 2004 See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 14, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $12,267,971. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2004 Donors, Massachusetts State Senate Donor Amount Massachusetts Republican Party $890,685 Massachusetts Democratic Party $456,567 Duncan, Timothy E $251,000 Thibault, John C $218,114 Lese, Gail Bronwyn $159,206 Novak, Lawrence P $118,200 Wasserman, Gerald A $77,794 Shnaider, David $53,346 Clark, Katherine M $48,267 Tisei, Richard R $45,000 2002 See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 17, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $6,865,146. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2002 Donors, Massachusetts State Senate Donor Amount Demaria, Carlo $79,600 Massachusetts Democratic Party $29,258 Retired Public Employees $25,000 Boston Police Patrolmens Association $23,050 Operating Engineers Local 4 $20,900 Caggiano, Mark $20,100 Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 537 $18,500 Professional Fire Fighters Of Massachusetts $18,375 No Detail Provided $17,650 Ironworkers Local 7 $17,500 2000 See also:Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 19, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $8,944,038. The top 10 contributors were:[14] 2000 Donors, Massachusetts State Senate Donor Amount Operating Engineers Local 4 $44,550 Leclair, Theodore $42,575 Fargo, Susan C & Foster M $40,900 Painters District Council 35 $37,574 New England Regional Council Of Carpenters $35,525 Ironworkers Local 7 $29,675 Norton Sr, James & Maureen J $26,049 Ironworkers District Council Of New England $23,450 Retired Public Employees $23,400 Massachusetts Republican Party $22,802

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in theMassachusetts General Court, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The election must be held on the next regularly scheduled date on the election calendar.^[15] Local governments that conduct special elections can receive reimbursement from the state treasurer's office for costs incurred.^[16][17]

See sources:Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 141 andMassachusetts Const. Amend. Art. 24

District map

See also:Massachusetts state legislative districts

The state of Massachusetts has 200 legislative districts. Each district elects one representative. The state Senate has 40 districts and the state House has 160 districts.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by thestate legislature. The lines drawn by the state legislature are subject to veto by thegovernor.^[18]

State statutes require that state legislative district boundaries be contiguous and "reasonably preserve counties, towns, and cities intact, where otherwise possible." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.^[18]

2020

See also:Redistricting in Massachusetts after the 2020 census

Gov.Charlie Baker (R) signed the state's new legislative maps into law on November 4, 2021.^[19] Thestate House passed the maps by a vote of 158-1 on October 21, 2021. Thestate Senate approved the legislative plans on October 27, 2021 by a vote of 36-3. Thelegislature began consideration of the state's redistricting plans on October 19, 2021.^[20] These maps took effect for Massachusetts' 2022 legislative elections.

After the redistricting plans were enacted, Massachusetts Secretary of StateWilliam Galvin (D) issued a statement expressing concern regarding how the maps would be implemented: "I am extremely disappointed that these bills were signed into law in their current form and I think it is a devastating blow to the voters of Massachusetts. With local precincts divided multiple ways, it will inevitably lead to chaos at the polls and make it impossible for voters to understand who their elected representatives are."^[21] After the legislature approved the maps, State Sen.William Brownsberger (D) said, "It’s a quality final product. We have used every minute we’ve had to keep vetting, to keep adjusting . . . and to respond to input that we’ve received."^[22]

District map before and after 2020 redistricting

2010

See also:Redistricting in Massachusetts after the 2010 census

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Massachusetts experienced a 3.1 percent increase in population between 2000 and 2010, with the population rising from approximately 6.35 million to 6.55 million. This was below the national average of 9.7 percent, and Massachusetts lost a Congressional seat as a result of the relatively slow growth.^[23][24][25]

TheSpecial Joint Committee on Redistricting conducted the redistricting process.^[26] On October 18, 2011, thestate legislature released draftstate Senate andstate House maps. The Senate and House plans were passed on November 1, 2011, and were signed into law by the governor November 3, 2011.^[27]

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Massachusetts State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated byBillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Massachusetts by year

2025

See also:2025 Massachusetts legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 1, 2025, and adjourn on November 19, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Massachusetts legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2024, and adjourn on December 31, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Massachusetts legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2023, and adjourn on November 15, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Massachusetts legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2022, and adjourn on August 1, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Massachusetts legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2021, and adjourn on January 4, 2022. 2020 See also:2020 Massachusetts legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 1, 2020, and adjourn on January 5, 2021. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. No modifications to state legislative activity in Massachusetts were made. 2019 See also:2019 Massachusetts legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2019, through December 31, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Massachusetts legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2018, through July 31, 2018 (formal) December 31, 2018 (informal). To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 4, 2017, through November 15, 2017. The legislature held an informal session from November 16, 2017, to January 2, 2018. 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 6 through July 31. Major issues in 2016 Major issues in the 2016 legislative session included charter schools, energy, early education, and taxes.[28] 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 7, 2015, through January 5, 2016. Major issues in 2015 Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included the state budget deficit.[29] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through August 1. Major issues in 2014 Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included the minimum wage, unemployment insurance reform, gun control, and assisted suicide.[30][31] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 2 to December 31. Major issues in 2013 Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included revenue shortfalls, transportation financing, firearm regulation, and health care costs.[32] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session starting January 4 through July 31. Major issues in 2012 Leading the agenda was the regulation of special education collaboratives in the state. Other issues included controlling health costs and a sentencing bill that would bar parole for prisoners convicted of more than two violent crimes.[33] In August 2012, Sen.Mike Rush (D) and Rep.Ed Coppinger (D) wrote a list of legislative accomplishments from the session. Among the major policy items addressed were the passage of balanced FY 2012 and 2013 state budgets, a health care cost containment bill, strategic economic development legislation, and the legalization of casino gaming.[34] 2011 In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 5 through November 16. 2010 In 2010, the legislature convened itssession on January 6th, and it remained in session throughout 2010.

About legislative sessions in Massachusetts

TheTenth Amendment of theU.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[35] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions,legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

TheMassachusetts Constitution contains provisions regarding when theMassachusetts General Court, which the Senate is a part of, is to meet. This subject has been the focus of several amendments to the Constitution. Originally, Chapter 1 of the Massachusetts Constitution called for the General Court to convene on the last Wednesday of May. Then, Amending Article X called for legislative sessions to convene yearly on the first Wednesday of January. Later, Amending Article LXXII called for the General Court to meet once every two years, but Amending Article LXXV repealed that amendment. Therefore, the rules that govern when the General Court is to meet are in Amending Article X.

Article X calls for the General Court to convene its regular session on the first Wednesday of January. The session does not dissolve until a new regular session convenes in the next year. Article X specifies that it does not prevent the General Court from meeting at any time that it judges necessary.^[36]

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includesveto overrides,the role of the legislature in the state budget,procedures for filling membership vacancies, andredistricting.

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Massachusetts are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

Authority:Chapter 1, Article II of theMassachusetts Constitution.

Role in state budget

See also:Massachusetts state budget and finances

Massachusettson

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[37]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inmid-November of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
2. Thegovernor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature on thefourth Wednesday in January.
3. The legislature typically adopts a budget inJune. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year beginsJuly 1.

Massachusetts is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[37][38]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.^[37]

Committees

See also:List of committees in Massachusetts state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Massachusetts State Senate has 11 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Massachusetts Constitution can be amended:

See also:Article XLVIII, Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, andLaws governing ballot measures in Massachusetts

The process of amending theMassachusetts Constitution is governed byArticle XLVIII, Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, which is itself the 48th amendment to the state's constitution.

Article 48 allows the constitution to be amended throughindirect initiative amendments. It imposes a number of restrictions on such proposed amendments:

• Petitions that relate to "religion, religious practices or religious institutions" are prohibited.
• Petitions that relate to the "appointment, qualification, tenure, removal, recall or compensation of judges" are prohibited.
• Petitions that would reverse judicial decisions are prohibited.
• Petitions relating to the "powers, creation or abolition of courts" are prohibited.
• Petitions that apply only to "a particular town, city or other political division or to particular districts or localities of the commonwealth" are prohibited.
• Petitions that would make "a specific appropriation of money from the treasury of the commonwealth" are prohibited.
• Any petition relating toAmendment 18 is prohibited through citizen initiative; however, Amendment 18 was altered through other paths.
• Petitions "inconsistent with" a list of "rights of the individual" are prohibited; those rights include:

• "The right to receive compensation for private property appropriated to public use."
• "The right of access to and protection in courts of justice."
• "The right of trial by jury."
• "Protection from unreasonable search unreasonable bail and the law martial."
• "Freedom of the press."
• "Freedom of elections."
• "The right of peaceable assembly."

• The sections of the constitution that prohibit various matters from being taken up by citizen initiative are also, themselves, prohibited from change through the process.
• Petitions that are "substantially the same as any measure which has been qualified for submission or submitted to the people at either of the two preceding biennial state elections" are prohibited.

Thestate's general court plays a significant role in the process for aninitiated constitutional amendment in Massachusetts:

• TheMassachusetts General Court is allowed to refer an alternative substitute measure to the ballot to compete with the proposed citizen initiative.
• The state legislature is allowed to amend the text of aninitiated constitutional amendment through a three-fourths vote in joint session.
• In two successive legislative sessions, 25 percent of the members of theMassachusetts General Court must support the proposed amendment in order for it to go on the ballot. There are 200 legislators altogether—40 in theMassachusetts State Senate and 160 in theMassachusetts House of Representatives—so a proposed amendment must earn 50 positive votes. The proposed amendment does not need to earn a 25 percent vote from both chambers, but, rather, from a joint session. This means, for example, that if 50 members of the state house voted in favor of an amendment, it would require no support from any state senator to qualify for the ballot.

TheMassachusetts General Court may alsolegislatively refer constitutional amendments. This procedure is defined inSection 1 to 3 of Article LXXXI of theMassachusetts Constitution. According to that section:

• Amendments may be proposed by either house of theMassachusetts General Court.
• Consideration of the amendment in a joint session may be called for by a vote of either house no later than the second Wednesday in May.
• Proposed amendments must receive majority approval (50% + 1) two successive joint legislative sessions to be placed on the ballot.
• If any such proposed amendment is approved by a simple majority of voters and by at least 30 percent of people voting in that election, the amendment is adopted.

The Massachusetts Constitution can also be changed through aconstitutional convention and subsequent ratification from the voters.

There have been fourconstitutional conventions in Massachusetts:

• From 1779–80. This led to the adoption of theMassachusetts Constitution, which is the oldest state constitution continuously in effect.
• From 1820–21. This convention yielded theArticles of Amendment, 1-9.
• 1853. This convention led to a proposal for an entirely new constitution and seven proposed amendments. They were submitted to a vote of the people, and they all lost.
• 1917–19. This constitution proposed 22 amendments and a revised draft of the existing constitution. Voters approved all these proposals.

See also

Elections	Massachusetts State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2024 Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2022 Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2020 Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2018	Massachusetts General Court Massachusetts House of Representatives Governor of Massachusetts Massachusetts Supreme Court	State legislative elections:2024,2023,2022,2021,2020,2019, and2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Massachusetts State Senate
• Massachusetts House of Representatives

Footnotes

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