Candidate Information

Congratulations! You have taken a courageous step by declaring your candidacy for elected office. For any government, but especially your local Town Government to work effectively, it requires the active participation of its citizens. Democracy functions best when the citizenry is given a choice.

The Town Clerk's Office thanks you for your active participation and wishes you the best of luck in your campaign. The office is here to assist you as you navigate through the local election process, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Information for interested candidates is available via our 2026 Candidate Information Packet (PDF) -- including available positions, full political calendar, requirements, etc!

2026 Political Calendar & Deadlines
First Day to Obtain Nomination Papers Monday, January 5 
Last Day to File Town Meeting Representative Renomination Petition with the Town Clerk Friday, March 20 at 5:00 PM 
Last Day to Submit Nomination Papers to the Board of Registrars for Certification Friday, March 27 at 5:00 PM 
Last Day to Object or Withdraw Candidacy from Ballot Tuesday, April 14 at 5:00 PM 

Campaign Finance

State law requires an accounting of all money received or spent throughout a political campaign. Town candidates and elected officials are required to submit regular Form CPF M102* campaign finance report to the Town Clerk’s Office and to comply with campaign finance laws and procedures. (Town Meeting Members are exempt from these requirements.)

Candidates are encouraged to use the Office of Campaign and Political Finance's online Reporter 7 tool for clear, effective reporting. More information can be found about the tool via OCPF's explainer video.

The 2026 campaign finance filing schedule is as follows: 

  1. End of year report for 2025 – Due January 20th, 2026 (reporting period: last day of previous report to December 31st, 2025 OR January 1st, 2025 to December 31st, 2025)
  2. 8 days before the town election – May 8th, 2026 (reporting period: January 1st to April 28th)
  3. 30 days after the town election – June 15th, 2026 (reporting period: April 29th to June 5th)
  4. End of year report for 2026 – Due January 20th, 2027 (reporting period: last day of previous report to December 31st, 2026 OR January 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2026)

*Candidates with no political committee, no campaign fund and no spend and/or fundraising activity may either:

  • file only the first page of Form CPF M102 indicating zero activity, or
  • file Form CPF M102-0 (available at the Town Clerk's Office), or
  • file Form CPF M109 at the beginning of the year (only for candidates with no intention of raising or spending any money during their campaign). This form fulfills all reporting requirements for the calendar year. 

Additional information can be found via the OCPF Guide for Municipal Candidates / Campaign Finance.