SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2937

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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SENATE, February 9, 2026.

 The committee on Election Laws to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2605) of Paul R. Feeney and William C. Galvin (by vote of the town) for legislation to further regulate town elections in the town of Canton, report the accompanying resolve (Senate, No. 2937).

For the committee,

 John F. Keenan

SENATE DOCKET, NO.                 FILED ON: 1/28/2026

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2937

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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Resolve further regulating town elections in the town of Canton.

 Resolved, that there shall be established a special commission to investigate and study the feasibility of synchronizing municipal and statewide elections in the town of Canton. The investigation and study shall include, but not be limited to, examining the process by which the town of Canton may hold the regular annual election of town officials on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November.

 The commission shall consist of: the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on election laws, who shall serve as co-chairs; the ranking senate and house minority members of the joint committee on election laws; the town administrator of the town of Canton or a designee; the secretary of the commonwealth or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Inc.; the president of the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, Inc.; 1 member of the select board of the town of Canton who shall be appointed by the select board; 1 resident of the town of Canton who shall be appointed by the select board; and 1 person to be appointed by the governor who shall have subject matter expertise in federal, state and local election policy.

 The commission shall provide specific recommendations to the general court relative to the manner in which the regular town election in the town of Canton may synchronize with state elections, including ensuring ballot access, single or multiple ballot issues, costs to the commonwealth and the municipality and consistency with any state and local laws.

 The commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including any legislation necessary to carry out those recommendations, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the joint committee on election laws not later than December 30, 2026.