An Act relative to random placement for candidate names and removal of incumbent information on primary and state ballots
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 4/2/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5311↗ (under House Rule 27) |
| — | House | Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order |
| 6/10/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-1 |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Election Laws |
No additional cosponsors.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J15 | Accompanied | — |
Section 34 of said chapter 53 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the second and third paragraphs.
Section 70E of said chapter 53, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 32, the words “in the manner provided in section thirty-four”.
Section 41 of chapter 54 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 16, the words “state or”.
Section 42 of said chapter 54, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:- Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or chapter 53, or any other general or special law to the contrary, on any ballot, under the designation of the office, the names of candidates for nomination for all offices to be voted for at a state primary, and names of candidates for election to any state office, shall be listed in an order generated at random by the state secretary; and no ballot shall include any notation or designation indicating that a candidate is an incumbent or candidate for re-election.
Sections 1 through 4, inclusive, shall take effect on January 1, 2026.
SECTION 1. Section 34 of said chapter 53 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the second and third paragraphs. SECTION 2. Section 70E of said chapter 53, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 32, the words “in the manner provided in section thirty-four”. SECTION 3. Section 41 of chapter 54 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 16, the words “state or”. SECTION 4. Section 42 of said chapter 54, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:- Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or chapter 53, or any other general or special law to the contrary, on any ballot, under the designation of the office, the names of candidates for nomination for all offices to be voted for at a state primary, and names of candidates for election to any state office, shall be listed in an order generated at random by the state secretary; and no ballot shall include any notation or designation indicating that a candidate is an incumbent or candidate for re-election. SECTION 5. Sections 1 through 4, inclusive, shall take effect on January 1, 2026.