Town Election

Town Election 2020

2020 Town Election Results – 2,543 voters cast ballots on June 29, which is a turnout of about 20%, up slightly from last year’s turnout rate of 18%. Winners in contested races were Ritterbusch for Select Board, and Markey and Batlle-Rafferty for School Committee. Read full results…

June 29, 2020 – Polls are open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Hopkinton Middle School Brown Gym, 88 Hayden Rowe St

REMEMBER:

  • If you have an absentee ballot it must be received by 8:00 PM on Monday, June 29. You can drop it in the secure drop-box outside of the entrance to town hall anytime before then.  At this point it is too late to mail it, use the drop-box instead.
  • If voting in person on Monday, June 29, the polls are open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM at the Middle School. Wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart from other voters.

New Due to COVID-19 Guidelines – All voters are encouraged to stay safe and vote by absentee ballot this year! Absentee ballots can be inserted in the drop box until 8:00pm on Monday, or delivered to the Clerk or Assistant Clerk at the polls.

If you are voting in person, wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart from the other voters. Your ballot must be received by 8:00 PM on Monday, June 29.

Hopkinton Specimen Ballot – Town Election 06-29-2020

Full List of Candidates and Links to their Candidate Statements

Video of the Select Board Debate – 06-15-20

Video of the Select Board Candidates on the HCAM Hopkinton Hangouts Hour – 6-24-20

Video of the School Committee Debate – 06-15-20

Video of School Committee Candidate Lya Batlle-Rafferty on the HCAM Hangouts Hour – 6-23-20

Video of School Committee Candidate Joe Markey on the HCAM Hangouts Hour – 6-25-20

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 the last week of May at the earliest, and on a rolling schedule thereafter.
  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.

 

Candidates on the 2020 Town Election Ballot:

Select Board, 3 Years, Vote for 1 – Contested Race

School Committee, 3 Years, Vote for 2 – Contested Race

UNCONTESTED RACES:

Board of Assessors, 3 Years, Vote for 1

  • Adam R. Munroe, Democrat – Website

Board of Health, 3 Years, Vote for 1

Board of Library Trustees, 3 Years, Vote for 2

Cemetery Commissioners, 3 Years, Vote for 1

  • Claire B. Wright, Candidate for Re-Election, Republican

Commissioners of Parks & Recreation, 3 Years, Vote for 2

Commissioners of Trust Funds, 3 Years, Vote for 1

  • Mary Duggan, Democrat – Website

Constable, 3 Years, Vote for 1

Housing Authority, 5 Years, Vote for 1

Planning Board, 5 Years, Vote for 2

Other important 2020 election dates and deadlines:

  • Nomination Papers will be available at the Town Clerk’s Office starting Tuesday, January 21
  • Last Day to File Nomination Papers and Petitions is Tuesday, March 31
  • Democratic Town Caucus is Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 PM (Remote Meeting)
  • Republican Town Caucus is Friday, May 15 at 5:00 PM (Remote Meeting)
  • Last Day to Register to Vote is Friday, June 19 – Register to vote online

State Primary 2020

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 – Polls Open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Hopkinton Middle School Brown Gym, 88 Hayden Rowe St

Presidential & State Election 2020

Tuesday, November 3, 2020 – Polls 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:

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.