Legislative power is held by the bicameral General Court, which is composed of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The governor exercises executive power with other independently elected officers: the Attorney General, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Auditor.

Some executive agencies are tasked by the legislature with formulating regulations by following a prescribed procedure.

[5] The state legislature is formally known as the Massachusetts General Court, reflecting its colonial-era judicial duties.

In addition to its appellate functions, the Supreme Judicial Court is responsible for the governance of the judiciary and the bar, makes (or approves) rules for the operation of the courts and, on request, provides advisory opinions to the governor and legislature on legal issues.

District attorneys and sheriffs are elected by constituencies which mainly follow county boundaries, and are funded by the state budget.

[11][12] Sheriff's departments operate correctional facilities and perform service of process in the county.

All land in Massachusetts is divided among cities and towns and there are no unincorporated areas, population centers, or townships.

Amendment Article 89 (LXXXIX) of the Massachusetts Constitution defines the powers of self-government that municipalities are entitled to.

Additional powers, such as the ability to collect certain taxes, are delegated to municipalities under state law.

Cities and towns can vote to accept a new mandate, or ask the Massachusetts State Auditor to determine the amount of funding owed; if the legislature does not provide that amount then ask the Massachusetts Superior Court for a ruling that grants the municipality an exemption from complying with unfunded mandates.

It gave the state a grade of "F", based on the time, cost, and comprehensiveness of access to public records.

[25] Access to government records and the actions of the Secretary in enforcing the law became an issue in the 2014 campaign for the office.

Incumbent William Galvin cited his previous requests that the legislature revise the Public Records Law to facilitate access.

[24] A reform law was signed on June 3, 2016 and took effect on January 1, 2017, imposing stricter time limits and lower costs.