Special election law allows towns to move dates
-
February 20, 2013
Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2013 also allows cities and towns with elections or town meetings within 30 days of the primary or final election to move the local election or meeting to one of the special Senate election dates.
The decision to change a local election date would be made by vote of the town council or the board of selectmen after consultation with the town clerk. The local vote must occur at least 35 days before the date of the rescheduled election.
On Feb. 6, State Auditor Suzanne Bump sent a letter urging the governor and legislative leaders to provide up-front funding to cities and towns to cover the local costs of the upcoming special primary and general elections for U.S. Senate. She has estimated these costs at $8.2 million statewide.
Bump’s letter noted that the Division of Local Mandates, which is part of her office, determined in 2009 that the state law governing special elections imposes a state mandate subject to the provisions of the local mandates law.
- Written by MMA Legislative Director John Robertson
