The Many Steps to Getting a Question on MA’s Statewide Ballot

Even though Election Day 2026 is a long way off, scores of advocates are already working to get laws passed by the will of the voters rather than the Legislature. August 6 was the deadline to file “initiative petitions” with the Attorney General’s Office—just the first step of many.



• August 6, 2025: Last day to submit petitions signed by 10 original signers to the Attorney General.
• September 3, 2025: First day to file petitions certified by the Attorney General with the Secretary of the Commonwealth to request blank petition forms (petitions are provided within 14 days of request).
• November 19, 2025: Last day to submit signed petitions to local registrars of voters for certification.
• December 3, 2025: Last day to file certified petitions with the Secretary.
• January 7, 2026: First legislative day of the year – successful petitions transmitted to House Clerk.
• May 5, 2026: Last day for Legislature to act on petition.
• May 6, 2026: First day petitioners may request additional petitions from the Secretary.
• June 2, 2026: Deadline for petitioners to file an amended petition with the Secretary, with a certificate from the Attorney General that the amendment does not materially change the substance of the measure.
• June 17, 2026: Last day to file petitions with local registrars for certification.
• July 1, 2026: Last day to file certified petitions with the Secretary (first day is June 3, 2026).
• November 3, 2026: Election Day

From A Guide to Statewide Ballot Question Petitions, May 2025, by the MA Office of the Secretary of State, Election Division