If any such copy transmitted to the state secretary is not sealed as required by law, he shall forthwith give notice thereof to the officers who transmitted the same; and thereupon another copy shall be made, attested, certified, sealed and transmitted to the secretary. If the second copy is received by him before determination of the persons appearing to be elected and the original appears to be in substantial conformity therewith, the original copy shall not be rejected.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, § 113