Purpose

950 CMR 48.00 governs the format of original state ballot question petition blanks as prepared by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and copies thereof as defined herein, for the gathering of signatures, as well as the filing of such petitions with the Registrars of Voters for the certification of signatures, and thereafter with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, under the authority of M.G.L. c. 53, § 7. 950 CMR 48.00 shall be interpreted to achieve and maintain accuracy, uniformity and securityfromforgeryand fraud in the procedures for gathering signatures, and to promote the right of eligible voters to sign such petitions, for such signatures to be certified where appropriate, and thereafter be allowed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and to therefore facilitate the operation of the initiative and referenda processes.