Town Election

Town Election 2024

Monday, May 20, 2024 – 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 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 Clerk’s office (18 Main St) starting January 16, 2024. 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 20, 2024 Ballot:

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

  1. 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).
  2. Collect physical signatures of at least fifty (50) registered voters in the Town of Hopkinton.
  3. Return signatures for certification to the Town Clerk on or before April 1, 2024 at 5PM.
  4. 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 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?


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.


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