U.S. Senator (MA-Jr.)

Description

Each of the 50 United States is represented by two United States Senators, and the 100 senators serve in the United States Senate, which along with the United States Congress comprise the entire federal legislative branch of U.S. Government. U.S. Senators are responsible for drafting and voting on federal laws for the United States. The work of preparing and considering legislation is done by standing committees, and in addition there are special committees as well as joint committees (committees with U.S. Representatives and Senators). The U.S. Senate has special duties including the responsibility to confirm major presidential appointments, including Supreme Court Justices. All U.S. treaties with other countries must be approved by a 2/3rds vote in the Senate, and U.S. Senators vote upon impeachment of elected officials, with a 2/3rds vote for impeachment resulting in the removal of office. Congressional bills, after having been passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, must be signed by the president of the United States within 10 days of their submission, or they become law automatically, unless Congress is not in session. If vetoed by the president, a bill may become law only by its repassage by a two-thirds majority in each house. The Constitution requires a regular annual meeting of Congress, which begins on Jan. 3 each year. The proceedings of Congress are recorded in the Congressional Record, and U.S. Senators have offices in Washington D.C. and often in several locations in their home states to address concerns of the citizens they represent. The yearly salary for a United States Senator is $174,000.

Application Guidelines

To file as an independent candidate for a partisan office follow these three steps: 1) Contact the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division to confirm that your registered address qualifies you for the position you intend to run for, and that you meet other office specific qualifications. Obtain the candidacy filing forms and petitions either in person or by mail. 2) Complete the required candidacy paperwork including petition requirements, campaign finance forms and other office specific requirements. Campaign finance forms are to be submitted to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance for state positions and the Federal Elections Commission for federal candidates. State positions require 300 and 150 signatures for State Senate and State Representative respectively. To run for U.S. Representative, 2,000 signatures are required. 3) Submit the nomination papers to the local registrar or clerk in order to be certified authentic by four weeks prior to the last Tuesday in May if you are running for a state position. If you are running for U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator, the signatures are due to the local registrar or clerk by four weeks prior to the last Tuesday in August. After being certified by a local registrar or clerk, signature petitions are due to the Massachusetts Secretary of State Elections Division the last Tuesday in May for state positions and the last Tuesday in August for U.S. Representative and U.S. Senate positions. Listed below is the phone number of the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division, which serves as the point of contact for any questions or concerns. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division can be reached at (617) 727-2828 and the Massachusetts Candidates Guide can be found here: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Candidates-Guide-2016.pdf

Submit application to:
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, McCormack Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA, 02108, US