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S 513

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2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tameika Isaac Devine

Moves Massachusetts state primary from September to the second Tuesday in May, triggering earlier deadlines, ballots, and campaign schedules for voters, candidates, and officials.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · S 513

Summary — S.513 (2025) — "An Act establishing the state primary to the second Tuesday of May"

Main purpose

S.513 would move the Massachusetts state primary from September to May, specifically establishing the state primary on the second Tuesday of May. The change is implemented by amending Section 28 of Chapter 53 of the Massachusetts General Laws to replace the word “September” with “May.”

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 28, Chapter 53 (as in the 2022 Official Edition) by striking the word “September” and inserting “May.”
  • By the bill title and context, the intent is that the state primary be held on the second Tuesday of May (the text effecting the month change is the operative statutory amendment).

Who would be affected

  • Voters in Massachusetts (timing of voting opportunities for state-level primaries).
  • Candidates for state offices (primary campaign schedules, filing and petition deadlines, nominating processes).
  • City and town election officials and the Secretary of the Commonwealth (changes to election administration, ballot printing, poll worker scheduling).
  • Political parties and primary voters (timing of party nomination contests, delegate selection where applicable).
  • Vendors and contractors that handle ballot printing, absentee/mail ballots, and early voting logistics.

Likely practical impacts

  • Election calendar changes: earlier primary requires shifting related deadlines (candidate filing, petition/certification dates, absentee ballot requests, early voting windows).
  • Administrative adjustments: ballot production, tester timelines, poll worker recruitment/training, and notice publication would move earlier in the year.
  • Campaign effects: compressed or altered campaign timelines for primary contests; potential changes in strategic coordination with federal primary schedules (may affect candidate travel, fundraising, and delegate processes if federal and state dates overlap or diverge).
  • Potential legal/regulatory follow-up: additional statutory or regulatory adjustments may be needed to align interdependent dates and deadlines throughout election law.

Procedural status and timeline (as provided)

  • Filed (Senate Docket No. 731) / Filed 1/14/2025. Introduced in Senate and read twice — introduced 2/11/2025.
  • Referred to committee(s): entries show referrals to Election Laws, Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and (duplicatively) Children and Families. A hearing was scheduled for 06/17/2025 (1:00–5:00 PM, room B‑1). Legislative actions also note accompaniment to a study order (S2567) on 7/31/2025.
  • Current recorded status: REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (per the header), though committee referrals listed in the record are inconsistent.

Notes and caveats

  • The bill text supplied is narrowly worded (a single-word replacement) and makes the month change explicit but does not reproduce a full calendar or list related deadline adjustments; consequential dates elsewhere in law would need review and amendment to achieve full operational alignment.
  • The provided bill metadata contains inconsistencies (e.g., the title in your prompt referencing “grandparents’ visitation rights,” multiple and conflicting committee referrals, and a sponsors list that appears to include federal lawmakers). The authoritative content for substantive effect is the statutory amendment shown: replacing “September” with “May” in G.L. c.53, §28. Any further discrepancies should be clarified with the legislative clerk or bill sponsor.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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