Town Election

Town Election 2023

Monday, May 15, 2023 – Polls are open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Hopkinton Middle School Brown Gym, 88 Hayden Rowe St

Considering running for local office, but don’t 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 Monday, March 27, 2023 at 5PM or a person may qualify by being the top vote-getter in one of the town political party caucuses, which are typically held in early April. Nomination signature papers are available from the Town Clerk’s office (18 Main St) starting January 17, 2023. Please email or call the Town Clerk’s 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 15, 2023 Ballot:

Select Board (3 years, vote for 1)
- Amy Ritterbusch, Democrat, Incumbent
Board of Assessors (3 years, vote for 1) – Candidate Needed
Board of Health (3 years, vote for 1)
- Nasiba Mannan, Democrat
Board of Library Trustees (3 years, vote for 2)
- Warren Carter, Democrat, Incumbent
- Jessica McCaffrey, Republican, Incumbent
Commissioners of Trust Funds (3 years, vote for 1)
- Mary Duggan, Democrat, Incumbent
Constable (3 years, vote for 1)
- John Cardillo, Democrat
Housing Authority (4 year unexpired term, vote for 1)
- Ilana Casady, Democrat
Parks & Recreation Commissioners (3 years, vote for 2) – 2nd Candidate Needed
- Ravi Shankar Dasari, Democrat
Planning Board (5 years, vote for 2)
- Matthew Wronka, Democrat, Incumbent
- Michael King, Democrat
Planning Board (3 year unexpired term, vote for 1) – Candidate Needed
Planning Board (2 year unexpired term, vote for 1)
- Paul Ostrander, Unenrolled, Incumbent
School Committee (3 years, vote for 2) – Candidates Needed
- ~~Jamie Wronka, Democrat~~ – Candidate has told eHop she is withdrawing

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 Monday, March 27, 2023 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.

Key Dates & Deadlines:

January 17, 2023 – 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.
March 27, 2023 at 5PM – Last day to file nomination papers for town election.
Early April 2023 – date TBA – Republican Town Committee Caucus
Early April 2023 – date TBA – Democratic Town Committee Caucus
April 10, 2023 – Deadline for final written notice of any ballot questions to be submitted to the Town Clerk.
April 21, 2023 – Last day to register to vote for the Annual Town Election. Register to vote online at: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/.
April 21, 2023 – Combined Town Election and Town Meeting Warrant posted.
May 15, 2023 – 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 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 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 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?

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 “eHop Updates” 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 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.

It is eHop policy not to endorse candidates for public office. Read eHop’s full policies and guidelines…