Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 43b - Home Rule Procedures
Section 12a - Resubmission of Charter Which Failed of Approval

Section 12A. A charter submitted to the voters in accordance with the provisions of this chapter which has failed of approval at a city or town election, but which has received the affirmative votes of not less than thirty-five per cent of those voting on the question, shall be considered an optional charter for such city or town. Upon the petition of ten per cent of the registered voters of such city or town, said optional charter shall be once resubmitted to the voters at a regular city or town election held no later than the second year following the original submission of such charter to the voters. The city council in a city, the town council in a town having a town council, and in every other town the board of selectmen, shall cause any changes to be made in dates in the charter as originally submitted to the voters which are necessary to ensure the orderly implementation of the optional charter.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts

Chapter 43b - Home Rule Procedures

Section 1 - Short Title; Definitions

Section 2 - Adoption, Revision or Amendment of Existing Charter

Section 3 - Petition for Adoption and Revision of Charter; Filing; Objections

Section 4 - Order of Governing Body for Submission of Question of Adoption or Revision of Charter; Nomination and Election of Charter Commission

Section 5 - Charter Commission; Procedure for Nomination and Election of Members

Section 6 - Charter Commission; Number of Members; Election

Section 7 - Charter Commission; Organization; Compensation and Expenses of Members

Section 8 - Charter Commission; Rules and Regulations; Personnel; Funds; Receipts and Expenditures; Office Space and Facilities; Taxation and Borrowing

Section 9 - Hearings Before Charter Commission; Reports of Commission

Section 10 - Amendments to Charter Previously Adopted or Revised Under This Chapter; Procedure

Section 11 - Proposed Charter or Charter Revision; Submission to Voters; Ballot; Copies of Final Report or Proposed Amendment; Adoption of Alternative or Conflicting Provisions

Section 12 - Charter and Charter Amendments and Revisions; Deposit of Certificates; Judicial Notice; Reprints for Distribution

Section 12a - Resubmission of Charter Which Failed of Approval

Section 13 - Exercise of Powers and Functions by Municipalities

Section 14 - Enforcement of This Chapter; Declaratory Relief; Judicial Review

Section 15 - Petitions for Adoption or Revision of Charter or Suggestion of Charter Amendment; Form

Section 16 - Paper or Document Required to Be Filed or Submitted; Presumptions

Section 17 - Election Laws; Applicable and Conflicting Provisions

Section 18 - Method of Electing Officers

Section 19 - Special Laws Enacted After Nov. 8, 1966

Section 20 - Provisions of Charter or Amendment Deemed Consistent With Certain Other Laws