Section 2.03 - Nomination Papers(1) Nomination papers will be available as of August 1st of an election year, and will be forwarded to members upon request together with a copy of the Rules of Election.(2) The candidate must submit nomination papers containing the valid signatures, and required identifying information specified on the form, of at least 100 active or retired members. Nomination papers must be received at the Board's Main Office on or before October 15th of an election year. In the event that October 15th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, nomination papers must be received on or before 5:00 P.M. of the next business day.(3) Members in service and members retired from service may sign nomination papers. Members may sign more than one set of nomination papers.(4) The Election Officer will validate nomination papers. In order for a signature to be valid, the MTRS staff must be able to read the signature and verify from MTRS records that the signatory is an active or retired member. MTRS staff will validate signatures submitted earlier than the October 15th deadline as time and resources allow to permit supplementation or correction; however, signatures submitted later than five business days before October 15th will not be validated until after the October 15th deadline. If the Election Officer determines that a candidate has filed nomination papers containing fewer than 100 qualified signatures, the Election Officer shall declare the nomination papers invalid and shall notify the candidate of his decision in writing.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1296, eff. 6/19/2015.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1499, eff. 7/7/2023.