Town Election 2024
Monday, May 20, 2024 ā Polls are open 7:00 AM ā 8:00 PM
Hopkinton Middle School Brown Gym, 88 Hayden Rowe St
Considering running for local office, but donāt know where to begin? To become a candidate a person must either obtain and submit nomination papers by securing the signatures of 50 Hopkinton registered voters by April 1, 2024 at 5PM or a person may qualify by being the top vote-getter in one of the town political party caucuses.* Nomination signature papers are available from the Town Clerkās office (18 Main St) starting January 16, 2024. Please email or call the Town Clerkās office with questions at townclerk@hopkintonma.gov 508-497-9710. Click on the name of any elected office listed below to read more about it.
Office on the May 20, 2024 Ballot:
- Select Board (3 years, vote for 2) CONTESTED RACE
- Peter Mimmo
- Kyla McSweeney
Anna DorceyDid Not Return Papers- Joseph Clark
- Brian Herr
- Board of Assessors (3 years, vote for 1)
- Lesley A Ficarri, Incumbent
- Board of Health (3 years, vote for 1)
- Mary Jo Ondrechen
- Board of Library Trustees (3 years, vote for 1)
- Anne Beauchamp, Incumbent
- Board of Library Trustees (1 year, vote for 1)
- Stanley Pulnik
- Cemetery Commissioners (3 years, vote for 1)
- Linda Kimball, Incumbent
- Cemetery Commissioners (2 years, vote for 1)
- Arlene Casassa
- Commissioners of Trust Funds (3 years, vote for 1)
- Amanda Murphy
- Constable (3 years, vote for 1)
- Michael King
- Housing Authority (5 year, vote for 1)
- Ilana Casady, Incumbent
- Housing Authority (1 year unexpired term, vote for 1)
- Beth Malloy, Incumbent
- Parks & Recreation Commissioners (3 years, vote for 2)
- Amy O’Donnell, Incumbent
- Daniel Terry, Incumbent
- Parks & Recreation Commissioners (1 year, vote for 1)
- Kyle Smith
Seth KenneyDid Not Turn in Enough Signatures to be on the Ballot
- Planning Board (5 years, vote for 1)
- Parker Happ, Incumbent
- Planning Board (3 year unexpired term, vote for 1)
- Lucia Lopez
- Planning Board (1 year unexpired term, vote for 1) CONTESTED RACE
- Karen Wills
- Gary Trendel, Incumbent
- School Committee (3 years, vote for 2)
- Jamie Wronka
- Christopher Masters
The steps for getting your name on the ballot are as follows:
- Pick up your nomination papers in person at the Town Clerk’s office (18 Main St, Hours: Mon Wed Thurs (8AM – 4:30PM), Tues (8AM-7PM), Fri (8AM-2PM).
- Collect physical signatures of at least fifty (50) registered voters in the Town of Hopkinton.
- Return signatures for certification to the Town Clerk on or before April 1, 2024 at 5PM.
- If you are enrolled in a political party that has an active town committee you may also approach the committee for the party caucus nomination to the ballot.*
* Hopkinton voted at the November 13, 2023 Special Town Meeting to eliminate local party caucuses for town election, but it will not go into effect until the State Legislature takes action. It is not certain yet, if this will happen before the May 20, 2024 Town Election.
Key Dates & Deadlines:
- January 16, 2024 – Nomination papers available from the Town Clerk’s office. Please email or call the Town Clerk’s office with questions at townclerk@hopkintonma.gov 508-497-9710.
- April 1, 2024 at 5PM – Last day to file nomination papers for town election.
- TBD Republican Town Committee Caucus*
- TBD Democratic Town Committee Caucus*
- April 15, 2024 – Deadline for final written notice of any ballot questions to be submitted to the Town Clerk.
- April 26, 2024 – Last day to register to vote for the Annual Town Election. Register to vote online at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/.
- April 28, 2024 – Combined Town Election and Town Meeting Warrant posted.
- May 20, 2024 – Town Election Day (7:00 AM – 8:00 PM) at Hopkinton Middle School
WHO, WHAT, WHEN AND WHERE?
WHO CAN VOTE?
All residents who are registered voters may vote at Town Election. Please note that if you are new to town or newly eligible to vote (i.e. recently turned 18 or recently became a U.S. citizen) you must register to vote at least ten (10) days before any Town or State election or the Presidential Primary in order to vote. You can register online, by mail or in person at the Town Clerkās office.
WHAT DO WE VOTE ON?
Elected Officials – Click on the name of any elected office to read more about it:
- Select Board
- School Committee
- Town Clerk
- Town Moderator
- Planning Board
- Board of Health
- Board of Assessors
- Board of Library Trustees
- Parks and Recreation Commission
- Hopkinton Housing Authority
- Commissioners of Trust Funds
- Cemetery Commissioners
- Constables
Ballot Questions – These vary from year to year, but can include things such as:
- Proposition 2 1/2 Overrides
- Debt Exclusions
- Underrides
- Changes to the Town Charter
- Changes to the Bylaws
WHEN IS TOWN ELECTION?
Per the bylaws, Hopkintonās Annual Town Election is held on the third Monday in May. Special Town Elections are sometimes called by the Select Board if unexpected or time-sensitive issues come up at other times of the year. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Absentee ballots are available from the Town Clerk and are due the Friday before the Town Election by 12:00 noon. For more information, contact the Town Clerkās office at 508.497.9710 or townclerk@hopkintonma.gov.
WHERE IS TOWN ELECTION?
All Hopkinton precincts vote at the Middle School (88 Hayden Rowe St).
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
- The Hopkinton Women’s Club typically holds a “Meet the Candidates Night” the 3rd Wednesday before the Town Election, which is broadcast on HCAM-TV (Comcast 8 / Verizon 30 or streaming live at http://www.hcam.tv/).
- HCAM-TV often hosts a debate for contested races.
- The Hopkinton Independent often posts candidate information
- HopNews often posts candidate information and video interviews with candidates
- eHop posts candidates statements, links, ballot question explanations and candidate Q&As. You can also subscribe to our āeHop Updatesā emails to receive detailed Town Meeting information in your inbox, or follow us on Facebook, or Instagram.
- The Hopkinton Crier and Metrowest Daily News are also good sources of information.
How to Run for Election
To become a candidate a person must either obtain and submit nomination papers by securing the signatures of 50 Hopkinton registered voters; or a person may qualify by being the top vote-getter in one of the town political party caucuses. Nomination signature papers are available from the Town Clerkās office in the winter, and must be returned by the date specified by the town clerk, usually late March.
Hopkinton is one of the few towns in Massachusetts to continue to have partisan caucus nominees. A Special Act of the Legislature would be required to discontinue the practice, as well as a vote at a local Town Meeting. The party caucuses are typically held the first week of April and the dates are posted on the town website.
It is eHop policy not to endorse candidates for public office. Read eHop’s full policies and guidelinesā¦