Constitution, Art. V, Pt. Second, §1 is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

Section 1.__Election; vacancy.__Beginning in 2006 and every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary of State must be chosen by popular election on the same date and in the same manner as provided by this Constitution for the election of Senators and Representatives.__Vacancy in that office must be filled by appointment by the Governor, subject to confirmation as required by this Constitution for Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court; the appointee serves only until the next general election, at which point the vacancy must be filled for the balance of the term, if any, as provided in this section.

Constitution, Art. V, Pt. Second, §1-A is amended to read:

Section 1-A. Succession to the office of Secretary of State. If a vacancy occurs in the office of the Secretary of State, the first deputy secretary of state shall act as the Secretary of State until a Secretary of State is elected by the Legislature during the current session if in session, or at the next regular or special session confirmed pursuant to section 1.

Constitution, Art. V, Pt. Third, §1 is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

Section 1.__Election; vacancy.__Beginning in 2006 and every 4 years thereafter, the Treasurer must be chosen by popular election on the same date and in the same manner as provided by this Constitution for the election of Senators and Representatives.__Vacancy in that office must be filled by appointment by the Governor, subject to confirmation as required by this Constitution for Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court; the appointee serves only until the next general election, at which point the vacancy must be filled for the balance of the term, if any, as provided in this section.

Constitution, Art. V, Pt. Third, §1-A is amended to read:

Section 1-A. Succession to the office of Treasurer. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Treasurer of State, the deputy treasurer of state shall act as the Treasurer of State until a Treasurer of State is elected by the Legislature during the current session if in session, or at the next regular or special session confirmed pursuant to section 1.