The 2024 Bedford Town Election gets underway with the Town Caucus at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9 in the Reed Room at Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way.
Open to all Bedford registered voters, the purpose of the Caucus is to focus attention on the upcoming Town Election on Saturday, March 9. 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 his or her interests and qualifications. The Caucus then votes to identify two candidates for each position who will be designated as “Caucus Nominee” on the ballot for the March 9 Town Election. A minimum vote of 8 percent is required.
Following written acceptance, the names of the Caucus nominees shall appear on the ballot without further requirements.
Nomination Papers
For potential candidates who are unable to attend the Caucus or whose interest develops after Jan. 9, an alternative route to inclusion on the March 9 Town Election ballot is to take out nomination papers, now available from the Town Clerk.
Each candidate must submit a signed statement of their intention to be a candidate (on a form provided by the Town Clerk) in person at the Town Clerk’s Office. Upon filing, each candidate will receive five nomination papers for collecting signatures. State law requires 50 signatures of registered voters in Bedford that can be certified by the Board of Registrars; however, it is recommended to obtain more than 50 in case some signatures cannot be certified.
The deadline for obtaining papers is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17 and the deadline for submitting papers for certification is 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19.
Signatures should be substantially in the same form as the individual is registered. This means the Board of Registrars may certify a signature when the middle name or initial has been included or excluded, but the street address must include the street number as registered.
Last Day to Withdraw
The last day to object or withdraw candidacy from the Annual Town Election is Tuesday, Feb. 6.
Register to Vote
Last Day to Register to Vote in Town Election
The deadline to register to vote in the Town Election is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Last Day to Vote by Mail Applications
The last day for Town Clerk’s Office to receive vote by mail applications for the Annual Town Election is Monday, March 4.
Last Day to Vote Absentee in Person
The last day to vote absentee in person for the Annual Town Election is by noon on Friday, March 8.
Annual Town Election
The Annual Town Election takes place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 at the John Glenn Middle School, McMahon Road.
Last Day to Register to Vote for Town Meeting
The last day to register to vote in time for the Annual Town Meeting is by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15.
Annual Town Meeting
Bedford’s Annual Town Meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Bedford High School auditorium on Monday, March 25.
Presidential Primary
The Massachusetts Presidential Primary takes place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5. In Bedford, voting takes place at the John Glenn Middle School, McMahon Road. The last day to register to vote in time to cast a ballot in the primary is by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24.
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