SENATE DOCKET, NO. 4016        FILED ON: 6/23/2026

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3148

June 23, 2026

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 Validating the 2026 Annual Elections in the Town of Oakham.” 

 I am filing this legislation at the request of the Town of Oakham’s Select Board, with support from Oakham’s legislative delegation.  

 This legislation would ratify, validate, and confirm the May 18, 2026, annual town election in the Town of Oakham and all official actions taken in connection since, after it was discovered that a warrant for said election had not been voted on by the Select Board or posted as required by M.G.L. c.39, §10. I understand that the voters and residents of Oakham had received adequate notice of the election, with election day information posted on official channels such as the Town’s website, the Town Clerk’s page, and within the municipal calendar. 

 Without legislation validating this election, the Town’s technical failure to comply with the warrant requirement would mean that all officials elected at this election, and the work that they undertake in their elected offices thereafter, may be subject to legal challenge. I therefore respectfully urge your prompt consideration of this bill so that the officials elected at Oakham's May 18, 2026, annual town election may continue serving in their elected roles without disruption.

     Respectfully Submitted,

       Maura T. Healey,

       Governor

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3148

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act validating the 2026 annual election in the town of Oakham.

 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 section 10 of chapter 39 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the acts and proceedings taken by the town of Oakham at the town election held on May 18, 2026, and all actions taken pursuant thereto, are hereby ratified, validated and confirmed, notwithstanding any failure to vote, publish or post the warrant for that election.

 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.