Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 54, § 132

The city or town clerk shall, within fifteen days after an election of state, city or town officers, certify to the state secretary the total number of voters checked on the voting list at such election in each voting precinct of the town. In the case of an election of state officers said clerk shall send a duplicate copy, sealed, to said state secretary, to be by him transmitted to the governor and council. The committee of the council tabulating the returns of votes shall include in their report thereon the number of ballots cast in a district wherein a question is submitted to the voters and a return thereon is made to the state secretary. The city or town clerk shall within fifteen days after an election at which electors of president and vice-president are to be chosen likewise certify to the state secretary the total number of names checked on the list of persons qualified to vote only for such electors at such election in each voting precinct or town, and a duplicate copy thereof, sealed, to be by him transmitted to the governor and council.