Citizens Committee for Judicial Oversight & Governmental Reform v. Attorney General

The petitioners commenced an action in the county court, purportedly pursuant to G. L. c. 214, § 2, seeking, among other things, a declaration that art. 7 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights “preempts” art. 48, The Initiative, of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution. After the petition was denied, the petitioners filed a motion for reconsideration. On reconsideration, the single justice allowed the judgment denying relief to stand. The petitioners then filed a notice of appeal, but failed timely to perfect their appeal, and as a result, their appeal was never entered on the…