The best local action you can take is run for local office!
The Town Clerk in your town is the source of all information. You will obtain paperwork and return paperwork to that office. Every person running for office must file financial reports. And, of course, there are PLENTY of
regulations covering campaigning. The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance has the details and training: https://m.ocpf.us/Home/GettingStarted
It’s always an excellent idea to have a mentor to guide you. That could be someone on the Board you are running for or just someone who has run for a local position in the recent past. Ask for guidance.
Signatures must be of VOTERS REGISTERED IN YOUR TOWN.
Voter registration closes 10 days before the election, not including the day of the election.
This Guide is VERY BASIC and is not intended to be all inclusive. It covers open seats in 2025
in Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Sandwich. Dates and seats change annually; you can
always get current information from your town’s Clerk.
Bourne:
Nomination papers are available now until March 28, 2025. The last day to return nomination papers with signature – of 50 registered voters – is APRIL 1, 2025. The town election is May 20, 2025.
2025 current open positions for nomination
Moderator – 1 year term
Select Board/Sewer Commissioners – 3 years (2 positions)
Board of Health member – 3 years
Jonathon Bourne Library trustees – 3 years (2 positions)
Planning Board members – 3 years (3 positions)
Veterans Memorial Community Building trustee – 3 years (1 veteran)
School Committee members – 3 years (2 positions)
Bourne Recreation Authority member – 3 years
Bourne Housing Authority member – 5 years
Falmouth:
Nomination papers are available now until March 28, 2025. They must be returned by April 1, 2025. The election is May 20, 2025.
The last day to register to vote in the town election is May 9, 2025.
Falmouth has a Representative Town Meeting and members are elected from each precinct.
Note that several precinct will elect 9 Members. Town meeting approves the annual town budget as well as by law changes.
2025 Annual Town Election Schedule
Tuesday February 25th – Nomination papers available
Friday March 28th – Last day to obtain nomination papers (51)
Tuesday April 1st – Last day to return nomination papers (49)
Wednesday April 2nd – Drawing for ballot position
Thursday April 17th – Last day to withdraw from Election (33)
Friday May 9th – Drawing for ballot position
Tuesday May 20th – Annual town election
Town Clerk (elect one) for three years
Selectman (elect two) for three years
Trustee of the Public Library (elect two) for three years
Planning Board (elect two) for three years
School Committee (elect three) for three years
Municipal Light Board (elect two) for three years
Housing Authority (elect one) for five years
Town meeting members
precinct 1 – elect nine – 3 year term
precinct 2 – elect nine – 3 year term
precinct 2 – elect one – 2 year term
precinct 3 – elect nine – 3 year term
precinct 3 – elect one – 1 year term
precinct 4 – elect nine – 3 year term
precinct 4 – elect one – 1 year term
precinct 5 – elect nine – 3 year term
precinct 6 – elect nine – 3 year term
precinct 6 – elect one – 1 year term
precinct 7 – elect nine – 3 year term
precinct 7 – elect two – 1 year term
precinct 7 – elect two – 2 year term
precinct 8 – elect nine – 3 year term
precinct 9 – elect nine – 3 year term
Mashpee:
All information is under the NEWS tab on the town website. Nomination papers can be picked up now and must be returned by MARCH 24, 2025. The town election is May 10, 2025. Voter registration for the town election closes April 30, 2025.
he Mashpee Town Clerk announced today that Annual Election Nomination Papers for the following positions will be available beginning Monday, February 3, 2025.
Library Trustee – Vote for Two for 3 Years
Moderator – Vote for One for 3 Years
Planning Board – Vote for Two for 3 Years
School Committee – Vote for One for 3 Years
Select Board – Vote for One for 3 Years
Select Board – Vote for One for 2 Years
Town Clerk – Vote for One for 1 Year
Water Commissioner – Vote for One for 3 Years
The Annual Election will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Senior Center, Town Hall, and Mashpee Library. Nomination Papers must be submitted to the Board of Registrars on or before 5:00 P.M. on March 24, 2025. Any questions please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-539-1418.
Sandwich: