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Elections set for vacant Mass. House seats

BOSTON (AP) - Special elections have been scheduled to fill two vacant seats in the Massachusetts House.

One of the elections will be held in the 12th Essex District to succeed Rep. Joyce Spiliotis, a Democrat from Peabody who died from cancer in December.

The other contest has been called in the 28th Middlesex District to replace former Rep. Stephen Smith, an Everett Democrat who resigned from the House after agreeing to plead guilty to casting invalid absentee ballots.

The Secretary of State's office says primary elections in both districts will be held on March 5, followed by a special election on April 2.

Candidates must submit nomination papers to local election officials by Jan. 22.