HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4563        FILED ON: 2/26/2016

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4043

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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February 26, 2016

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives,

Pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 8, Paragraph 1, Clause (2) of the Amendments to the Constitution, as appearing in Article LXXXIX of said Amendments, I am filing for your consideration the attached legislation entitled, “An Act Relative to the Annual Town Elections and Special State Election in the Towns of Hull, Marshfield and Norwell.”

The Board of Selectmen for the towns of Hull, Marshfield and Norwell requested that I file this special legislation on behalf of their respective towns.  This bill will permit the towns to have their annual town elections to coincide with the special state election on May 10, 2016.  According to the towns, coordinating the elections will result in significant cost savings, potential higher voter turnout, and less strain on temporary staff.

I urge your early and favorable consideration of this bill.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles D. Baker,

Governor

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4043

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act relative to the annual town elections and special state election in the towns of Hull, Marshfield and Norwell.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or any town charter or by-law to the contrary, the towns of Hull, Marshfield and Norwell, by majority vote of the board of selectmen, may conduct the annual town election to coincide with the date of the special state election on May 10, 2016.

SECTION 2.   If the original date of the annual town election was prior to the special state election, any deadlines previously established for the town election will remain in effect and any nomination papers which have been taken out may be completed and returned as lawfully qualifying for the election.

SECTION 3.  If the original date of the annual town election was after the special state election, the deadline for the board of registrars to certify names on nomination papers shall be within 7 days of submission and the deadline to file an objection or withdrawal shall be within 48 weekday hours after the deadline to complete certification.

SECTION 4.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.