For thirty years, the Massachusetts Democratic Party has had a bylaw that says no one can get on the Massachusetts Democratic primary ballot without getting the support of at least 15% of the delegates at a party endorsements meeting. This rule is not in the election code, but courts have ruled that the party may enforce this party bylaw.

The party is somewhat worried that, with at least four gubernatorial candidates announced for 2014, the rule is too stringent. The party’s Rules Committee is proposing that the 15% rule be retained, but that candidates at party meetings get two chances to meet the 15% requirement. Existing law says that after the first convention ballot, everyone who didn’t get 15% is eliminated. The change would give candidates who failed to get 15% on the first vote another chance. See this story.