Upon a vacancy by removal or otherwise in the office of register of deeds in a county or district in which said office is under the general superintendency or jurisdiction of the secretary of the commonwealth the secretary shall forthwith issue precepts for an election to fill such vacancy at the next biennial state election for which precepts can be seasonably issued, unless the term of said office expires on the first Wednesday of January following such state election, and the state secretary shall appoint some person to fill such office until a person is elected thereto and qualified. The person so appointed shall give bond as provided in section 3 of chapter 36.
Massachusetts Legal Code