Town Election

Town Election 2021

Saturday, May 22, 2021 – Polls are open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Hopkinton Middle School Brown Gym, 88 Hayden Rowe St

Key Dates & Deadlines:

  • January 19, 2021 – Nomination papers available from the Town Clerk’s office. Complete the application on the Town website at: https://forms.gle/AZHjYXDf2cpApf9K8. Your nomination papers will be emailed to you as a PDF for you to print. Please email or call the Town Clerk’s office with questions at townclerk@hopkintonma.gov 508-497-9710.
  • March 30, 2021 at 5:00 PM – Last day to file nomination papers for town election.
  • April 8, 2021 at 7:00 PM – Republican Town Committee Caucus on Zoom (Meeting ID: 817 6941 4210, Passcode: 844886).
  • April 9, 2021 at 6:30 PM – Democratic Town Committee Caucus on Zoom (Meeting ID: 658 821 2188, Passcode: Marathon).
  • April 13, 2021 – Deadline for final written notice of any ballot questions to be submitted to the Town Clerk.
  • April 13, 2021 – Last day to register to vote for the Annual Town Meeting. Register to vote online at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/.
  • April 23, 2021 – Combined Town Election and Town Meeting Warrant posted.
  • May 12, 2021 – Last day to register to vote for the  Annual Town Election. Register to vote online at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/.
  • May 22, 2021 – Town Election Day (7:00 AM – 8:00 PM) at Hopkinton Middle School

Offices on the Town Election Ballot for 2021:

Ballot Questions:

QUESTION 1: Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to fund construction, reconstruction, renovation, alteration, and associated improvements of the Marathon School, including any planning, design, engineering, original equipment, or associated costs or expenses related thereto? Yes/No

QUESTION 2: Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to fund the installation of control systems for the Hopkinton Middle School HVAC Renewal and Digital Control Upgrade, including any planning, design, engineering, original equipment, or associated costs or expenses related thereto? Yes/No

QUESTION 3: Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to fund the partial roof replacements at the Hopkins and Hopkinton Middle Schools including any planning, design, engineering, or associated costs or expenses related thereto? Yes/No

QUESTION 4: Shall the Town of Hopkinton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to fund for the roof replacement at the Police Station, including any planning, design, engineering, or associated costs or expenses related thereto? Yes/No

The steps for getting your name on the ballot are as follows:

  1. Complete the application on the Town website at: https://forms.gle/AZHjYXDf2cpApf9K8.
  2. Your nomination papers will be emailed to you as a PDF for you to print.  Please inform us if you need any assistance.
  3. Collect physical signatures of at least fifty (50) registered voters in the Town of Hopkinton.
  4. Return signatures for certification to the Town Clerk on or before 5 PM on March 30th, 2021.
  5. 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. Party caucuses are held in early April every year, check with your party for more information.

REMEMBER:

  • If you have an absentee ballot it must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day. You can drop it in the secure drop-box outside of the entrance to town hall anytime before then.

How do I vote safely by mail?

Step 1 – Do this today

Obtain, fill out, and return your absentee ballot application to the Town Clerk.

  1.  Download and print the absentee ballot application.
    (OR) If you don’t have a printer, you can ask the Town Clerk (townclerk@hopkintonma.gov or 508-497-9710) to mail you an application.
  2.  Fill out and complete your application with a real signature.
  3.  Return your application to the Town Clerk using one of these methods:
    • Scan and email it to the Town Clerk (townclerk@hopkintonma.gov). Smartphone scans are accepted.
    • Mail it to Town of Hopkinton, Town Clerk, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748.
    • Drop it off in the payment slot at the front entrance of Town Hall.

Step 2 – As soon as you receive your ballot

Receive, fill out, and return your ballot to the Town Clerk.

  1.  Watch your mailbox for the ballot.
    The Town Clerk will start mailing the ballots about a month before the election.
  2.  Fill out the ballot using black or dark blue ink.
  3.  Return your ballot to the Town Clerk using one of these methods:
    • Mail it to: Town of Hopkinton, Town Clerk, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748.
    • Drop it off in the payment slot at the front entrance of Town Hall.
    • Bring it to the polls on election day.

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 twenty 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 Clerk’s office.

WHAT DO WE VOTE ON?

Elected Officials – Click on the name of any elected office to read more about it:

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, Hopkinton’s Annual Town Election is held on the third Monday in May. Special Town Elections are sometimes called by the Board of Selectmen 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 Clerk’s 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?

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 Clerk’s 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.