Massachusetts state legislative districts
 |
List of state legislative districts |
There are 200 seats in the Massachusetts State Legislature. All 40 seats of the Massachusetts State Senate and all 160 seats of the Massachusetts House of Representatives are up for election every four years.
Chambers
Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:
Senate
There are 40 senatorial districts in Massachusetts, named for the counties in which they are located.
As of the 2020 Census, Massachusetts state senators represented an average of 175,837 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 163,991 residents.
Qualifications
Article CI, Section 2 of the Massachusetts Constitution states: "Each district shall elect one senator, who shall have been an inhabitant of this Commonwealth five years at least immediately preceding his election and at the time of his election shall be an inhabitant of the district for which he is chosen; and he shall cease to represent such senatorial district when he shall cease to be an inhabitant of the Commonwealth."[1]
According to the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office, an individual must be a registered voter to run for office.[2]
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Massachusetts General Court, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The election must be held on the next regularly scheduled date on the election calendar.[3] Local governments that conduct special elections can receive reimbursement from the state treasurer's office for costs incurred.[4][5]
See sources: Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 141 and Massachusetts Const. Amend. Art. 24
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[6] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $73,655.01/year | No per diem is paid. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Massachusetts State Senate.
House
Representative districts are named for the primary county in which they are located, and tend to stay within one county, although some districts contain portions of adjacent counties.
As of the 2020 Census, Massachusetts state representatives represented an average of 43,959 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 40,998 residents.
Qualifications
Article CI, Section 1 of the Massachusetts Constitution states: "Every representative, for one year at least immediately preceding his election, shall have been an inhabitant of the district for which he is chosen and shall cease to represent such district when he shall cease to be an inhabitant of the Commonwealth."[7]
According to the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office, an individual must be a registered voter to run for office.[8]
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Massachusetts General Court, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The election must be held on the next regularly scheduled date on the election calendar.[9] Local governments that conduct special elections can receive reimbursement from the state treasurer's office for costs incurred.[10][11]
See sources: Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 141 and Massachusetts Const. Amend. Art. 24
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[12] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $73,655.01/year | No per diem is paid. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Redistricting
In Massachusetts, congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. The lines drawn by the state legislature are subject to veto by the governor.[13]
State statutes require that state legislative district boundaries be contiguous and "reasonably preserve counties, towns, and cities intact, where otherwise possible." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[13]
Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed the state's new legislative maps into law on November 4, 2021.[14] The state House passed the maps by a vote of 158-1 on October 21, 2021. The state Senate approved the legislative plans on October 27, 2021 by a vote of 36-3. The legislature began consideration of the state's redistricting plans on October 19, 2021.[15] These maps took effect for Massachusetts' 2022 legislative elections.
After the redistricting plans were enacted, Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin (D) issued a statement expressing concern regarding how the maps would be implemented: "I am extremely disappointed that these bills were signed into law in their current form and I think it is a devastating blow to the voters of Massachusetts. With local precincts divided multiple ways, it will inevitably lead to chaos at the polls and make it impossible for voters to understand who their elected representatives are."[16] After the legislature approved the maps, State Sen. William Brownsberger (D) said, "It’s a quality final product. We have used every minute we’ve had to keep vetting, to keep adjusting . . . and to respond to input that we’ve received."[17]
Senate elections
Massachusetts state senators serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Massachusetts holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was September 3, 2024. The filing deadline was May 28, 2024.[18]
In the 2024 elections, Democrats lost one seat but maintained their majority in the Massachusetts State Senate. The Democratic majority went from 36-4 to 35-5.
| Massachusetts State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
| Democratic Party | 36 | 35 | |
| Republican Party | 4 | 5 | |
| Total | 40 | 40 | |
2022
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 6, 2022. The filing deadline was May 31, 2022.
In the November 2022 election, Democrats won a vacant seat and maintained their 37-3 majority in the Massachusetts State Senate.
| Massachusetts State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 36 | 37 | |
| Republican Party | 3 | 3 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 40 | 40 | |
2020
Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 1, 2020. The local filing deadline was May 5, 2020, and the state filing deadline was June 2, 2020.[19]
In the November 2020 election, Democrats increased their majority in the Massachusetts State Senate by one seat for a margin of 37-3.
| Massachusetts State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 36 | 37 | |
| Republican Party | 4 | 3 | |
| Total | 40 | 40 | |
2018
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2018. The semi-closed primary election took place on September 4, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018.
In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Massachusetts State Senate from 31-7 to 34-6.
| Massachusetts State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 31 | 34 | |
| Republican Party | 7 | 6 | |
| Vacancy | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 40 | 40 | |
2016
Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016. All 40 seats in the Massachusetts State Senate were up for election in 2016.
Heading into the election, Democrats held a 34-6 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.
| Massachusetts State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
| Democratic Party | 34 | 34 | |
| Republican Party | 6 | 6 | |
| Total | 40 | 40 | |
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2014Elections for the Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 36-4 majority. Democrats lost two seats in the election, giving them a 34-6 majority.
2012Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 18, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 29, 2012. A total of 40 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 35-4 majority with one vacancy. Democrats gained one seat in the election, giving them a 36-4 majority.
The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012.
2010Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010., and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 4, 2010, for partisan candidates and August 3, 2010, for independents. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 35-5 majority. Democrats gained one seat in the election, giving them a 36-4 majority.
During the 2010 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $8,982,549. The top 10 donors were:[20]
2008Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 16, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $7,993,572. The top 10 contributors were:[21]
2006Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 19, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $7,948,867. The top 10 contributors were:[22]
2004Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 14, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $12,267,971. The top 10 contributors were:[23]
2002Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 17, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $6,865,146. The top 10 contributors were:[24]
2000Elections for the office of Massachusetts State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 19, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $8,944,038. The top 10 contributors were:[25]
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House elections
Massachusetts state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Massachusetts holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was September 3, 2024. The filing deadline was May 28, 2024.[26]
In the 2024 elections, Democrats increased their partisan majority in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Democrats went from 132-24 with one independent and three vacancies to 134-25 with one independent.
| Massachusetts House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
| Democratic Party | 132 | 133 | |
| Republican Party | 24 | 25 | |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | |
| Vacancy | 3 | 1 | |
| Total | 160 | 160 | |
2022
Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 6, 2022. The filing deadline was May 31, 2022.
In the 2022 elections, Democrats increased their partisan majority in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
| Massachusetts House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 125 | 134 | |
| Republican Party | 27 | 25 | |
| Independent | 1 | 1 | |
| Vacancy | 7 | 0 | |
| Total | 160 | 160 | |
2020
Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 1, 2020. The local filing deadline was May 5, 2020, and the state filing deadline was June 2, 2020.[19]
In the 2020 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 126-31 to 129-30.
| Massachusetts House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 126 | 129 | |
| Republican Party | 31 | 30 | |
| Independent | 1 | 1 | |
| Vacancy | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 160 | 160 | |
2018
Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2018. The semi-closed primary election took place on September 4, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018.
In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 117-34 to 127-32.
| Massachusetts House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 117 | 127 | |
| Republican Party | 34 | 32 | |
| Independent | 2 | 1 | |
| Vacancy | 7 | 0 | |
| Total | 160 | 160 | |
2016
Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 8, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016. All 160 seats in the Massachusetts House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.
Heading into the election, Democrats held a 125-34 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained one seat in the November 2016 general election.
| Massachusetts House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
| Democratic Party | 125 | 125 | |
| Republican Party | 34 | 35 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 160 | 160 | |
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2014Elections for the Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on September 9, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 125-29 majority with six vacancies. Democrats maintained control of the chamber in the election with a 125-35 majority. Republicans had six net gains, increasing their total from 29 to 35.
2012Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 18, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 29, 2012. All 160 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 127-33 majority. Democrats gained four seats in the election, giving them a 131-29 majority.
The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012.
2010Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 4, 2010, for partisan candidates and August 3, 2010, for independents. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 142-15 majority with three vacancies. Democrats lost 14 seats in the election, giving them a 128-32 majority.
In 2010, the candidates running for state House raised a total of $13,713,787 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[27]
2008Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 16, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total of contributions to House candidates was $13,560,016. The top 10 contributors were:[28]
2006Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 19, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total of contributions to House candidates was $12,801,270. The top 10 contributors were:[29]
2004Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 14, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total of contributions to House candidates was $15,775,817. The top 10 contributors were:[30]
2002Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 17, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total of contributions to House candidates was $11,100,288. The top 10 contributors were:[31]
2000Elections for the office of Massachusetts House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 19, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total of contributions to House candidates was $10,434,982. The top 10 contributors were:[32]
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District maps
State Senate
State House
See also
- State legislature
- Massachusetts State Legislature
- Massachusetts State Senate
- Massachusetts House of Representatives
- List of Massachusetts state legislative elections
Footnotes
- ↑ The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Constitution," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "How to Run for Office in Massachusetts," accessed May 27, 2025 (page 5)
- ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 50, Section 6A)
- ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 3: Section 10A)
- ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 54: Section 141)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Constitution," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "How to Run for Office in Massachusetts," accessed May 27, 2025 (page 5)
- ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 50, Section 6A)
- ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 3: Section 10A)
- ↑ Massachusetts General Court, "General Laws," accessed February 12, 2021 (Section Chapter 54: Section 141)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 All About Redistricting, "Massachusetts," accessed May 4, 2015
- ↑ MassLive, "As Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker OKs new districts, Secretary of State William Galvin warns of chaos," November 4, 2021
- ↑ Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
- ↑ Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
- ↑ Boston Globe, "Lawmakers poised to send new political maps, increasing number of majority-minority districts, to Baker," October 27, 2021
- ↑ Candidates had to submit nomination papers to their local election offices for signature verification by April 30, 2024. They had until May 28, 2024, to file those certified signatures with the state.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 To appear on the ballot in Massachusetts, prospective candidates must submit nomination papers for certification to the registrars of the cities or towns in which signatures were collected and to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The local filing deadline must occur four weeks prior to the candidate's second filing deadline with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. In 2020, the local-level filing deadline was May 5 and the state-level filing deadline was June 2. Click here to learn more.
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2010 - Candidates," accessed July 21, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2008 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2006 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2004 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2002 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2000 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Candidates had to submit nomination papers to their local election offices for signature verification by April 30, 2024. They had until May 28, 2024, to file those certified signatures with the state.
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2010 - Candidates," accessed September 16, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2008 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2006 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2004 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2002 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Massachusetts 2000 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
