Want to get run for elected office in Massachusetts or U.S. government? Nomination papers are available as of February 13, 2018. There are offices available at the federal, state, county, and district levels.

1. Check that you meet the requirements:
   • Must be at least 18 years of age (or older, for U.S. Congress offices)
   • Must be a registered voter and resident of Massachusetts and/or your local district for a certain number of years, depending on the office
2. Check out the positions open for this year’s state election (1 position available for each office; the district of North Reading is given in parenthesis if applicable):
   • Federal Offices:
     • United States Senator: 6-year term
     • United States Representative: 2-year term (Sixth U.S. Congressional District)
   • State Offices:
     • Governor: 4-year term
     • Lieutenant Governor: 4-year term
     • Attorney General: 4-year term
     • Secretary of the Commonwealth: 4-year term
     • Treasurer and Receiver General: 4-year term
     • Auditor: 4-year term
   • County Offices:
     • Clerk of Courts: 4-year term (Middlesex County)
   • District Offices:
     • Governor’s Councillor: 2-year term (Fifth Councillor District)
     • State Senator: 2-year term (First Essex and Middlesex Massachusetts Senatorial District)
     • State Representative: 2-year term (Twentieth Middlesex Massachusetts Representative District)
     • District Attorney: 4-year term (Northern District)
     • Register of Deeds: 4-year term (Middlesex Southern District)
3. Consult the 2018 Candidates’ Guide put together by the Massachusetts Secretary of State or the website for the Secretary of State to learn more about nomination deadlines, requirements, and other process details. Some nomination papers are due as early as May 1, 2018 and some party declarations must be made by February 27, 2018 (depending on the office).