~Submitted by Bedford League of Women Voters
The 2023 Bedford Town Election gets underway with the Town Caucus at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10 in the Reed Room at Town Hall. Open to all Bedford registered voters, the purpose of the Caucus is to focus attention on the upcoming Town Election that takes place on Saturday, March 11.
Historically, the Caucus has pushed incumbents to decide whether they are running for another term, encouraged prospective candidates to declare themselves, and equally important, identified town positions that remain open with no candidates while there is still time for candidates to declare their interest.
For candidates, the objective is to be designated a “Caucus Nominee,” providing publicity for the candidacy and eliminating the requirement to file nomination papers. Nominations are made for each vacant position. A candidate must be in attendance in order to be considered as a “Caucus Nominee.”
Each nominee for a given position has the opportunity to make a statement of up to three minutes on their interests and qualifications. The Caucus then votes to identify two candidates for the position who will be designated as “Caucus Nominee” on the ballot for the March 11 Town Election. A minimum vote of eight percent is required.
For potential candidates who are unable to attend the Caucus or whose interest develops after Jan. 10, an alternative route to inclusion on the March 11 ballot is to take out nomination papers available from the Town Clerk. The deadline for obtaining papers is Wednesday, Jan. 18; the deadline for submitting papers for certification is Friday, Jan. 20.
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