Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 43b - Home Rule Procedures
Section 6 - Charter Commission; Number of Members; Election

Section 6. A charter commission shall consist of nine registered voters of the city or town elected at large and by official ballot, without party or political designation, at an election held in accordance with this chapter. The names of the candidates nominated in accordance with section five shall be placed on such ballot in alphabetical order, preceded by an instruction to the effect that a voter may vote for not more than nine persons as charter commission members whether or not he favors the election of a charter commission. The question of electing a commission to adopt or revise the charter shall be placed on such ballot in the form prescribed by the constitution.
If a majority of the votes cast upon the question of adopting or revising the charter is in the affirmative, the nine candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.
If a majority of the votes cast upon the question is in the affirmative, the city or town clerk shall notify the director of housing and community development of such affirmative vote and said director shall notify such commission of the dates for submission of their reports and the available date or dates that such report can be placed on its ballots.

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