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Local Election Information
The next annual town election will be in March 2020.
Town Wide Officers and Town Meeting Members are elected to staggered terms annually in March. The Town Bylaw requires the annual town election to be held the first Tuesday in March except in the year in which the presidential primaries are to be held. The Board of Selectmen have announced that the Local Town Election will be on March 17, 2020.
Each precinct will elect 10 town meeting members and fill any vacant seats.
If the candidate intends to solicit funds or spend money on the campaign a committee must be formed in advance and campaign finance requirements must be followed. Please request a handbook and forms.
Incumbent Town Meeting members are required to file a letter stating their intent to become a candidate for re-election 42 days prior to the Annual Town Election. A form for this purpose is mailed to all incumbents in December.
Town Wide Officers and Town Meeting Members are elected to staggered terms annually in March. The Town Bylaw requires the annual town election to be held the first Tuesday in March except in the year in which the presidential primaries are to be held. The Board of Selectmen have announced that the Local Town Election will be on March 17, 2020.
Each precinct will elect 10 town meeting members and fill any vacant seats.
If the candidate intends to solicit funds or spend money on the campaign a committee must be formed in advance and campaign finance requirements must be followed. Please request a handbook and forms.
Incumbent Town Meeting members are required to file a letter stating their intent to become a candidate for re-election 42 days prior to the Annual Town Election. A form for this purpose is mailed to all incumbents in December.
- The candidate must be a resident of the Town, and for certain offices a registered voter. Check the by-law if this is an issue.
- The Candidate must personally obtain Nomination papers from the Town Clerk. These forms are available as of December 5, 2019 for the 2020 Annual Town Election. The candidate will supply name, address, phone, email and sign for the papers. This information is public information.
- Signatures of fifty voters registered in the Town are required (any precinct), although it is recommended that more be obtained.
- The deadline to "take out papers" is January 24, 2020, 5 p.m.
- Papers must be returned to the Town Clerk for certification no later than 5 p.m. on January 28, 2020.
- Candidates for re-election for Town Wide offices must also obtain signatures, unlike Town Meeting Member candidates.
- We request the use of your email address for election related messages and for Town Meeting communication if you are elected. This email is intended for the use of the Town Clerk to notify candidates and Town Meeting Members of events or information of interest to them. The list is a public record.
- Elected candidates must be sworn in by the Town Clerk prior to exercising their office.
- In order to be candidate for Town Meeting Member, one must reside in the precinct from which one desires to run.
- Nomination papers must be obtained in person from the Town Clerk's Office beginning December 5, 2019 and ending February 7, 2020 at 5 p.m.
- Ten signatures of registered voters from the precinct are required.
- It is recommended that each candidate obtain more than the minimum of ten signatures in the event that any of the signatures cannot be certified.
- The nomination papers must be returned to the Board of Registrars (Town Clerk's Office) for certification no later than Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 5 p.m.
- Drawing of names for position on the ballot will be on February 12, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Town Hall. Candidates are welcome to observe but rarely attend.
- Any current Town Meeting Member who is running for re-election need only complete and return the notice of intent to run by February 4, 2020 at 5:00 p.m..
- There are no campaign finance reporting requirements for Town Meeting Candidates.
- We request the use of your email address for election related messages and for Town Meeting communication if you are elected. This email is intended for the use of the Town Clerk to notify candidates and Town Meeting Members of events or information of interest to them. The list is a public record.
- The Election is March 17, 2020. Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Town Meeting is currently expected to begin March 30/31 and continue weekly until the business is completed.
- Elected Candidates will be invited to attend an orientation meeting with the Moderator, usually the week prior to the beginning of Town Meeting.
- Elected candidates will be sworn into office at the first night of the Annual Town Meeting.