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

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:

• 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, 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?

• 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, Instagram or Twitter.
• 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.

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