Election of the lieutenant governor
Official text rightpowerlimitif conditionlegal term
There shall be [annually] elected a lieutenant governor of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, whose title shall be, His Honor and who shall be qualified, in point of [religion, property,] and residence in the commonwealth, in the same manner with the governor: and the day and manner of his election, and the qualifications of the , shall be the same as are required in the election of a governor. The return of the votes for this officer, and the declaration of his election, shall be in the same manner: and if no one person shall be found to have [a majority] of all the votes returned, the vacancy shall be filled by the senate and house of representatives, in the same manner as the governor is to be elected, in case no one person shall have [a majority] of the votes of the people to be governor.
Note (Massachusetts Legislature): [See Amendments, Arts. VII, XIV, XXXIV, LXIV and LXXX.]
Simplified explanation
There shall be an elected lieutenant governor, titled His Honor, qualified in residence like the governor and elected on the same day, in the same manner and by the same electors. If no one is chosen, the senate and house fill the vacancy as for governor. Bracketed words (annually, religion, property, a majority) are printed as superseded.