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ELECTIONS
Section 8-1. Time of Elections
Regular town elections for the elective offices specified in this Charter and for other elective offices as required by the General Laws shall be held twenty-seven days before the Annual Town Meeting. The polls shall not close before 8:00 p.m.
Section 8-2. Preliminary Elections
Except for the election of town meeting representatives, in the event that there are more than two candidates for each office to be filled, a preliminary election will be held twenty-eight days before the regular town elections. The two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will be eligible to run for that office and will be placed on the ballot for town officers at the regular election. No preliminary election will be required for town meeting representatives.
Section 8-3. Polling Places
A polling place shall be made available in each of the precincts for all elections.
Section 8-4. Nomination Papers, Time of Filing, Signatures
Nomination papers for elected town offices other than town meeting representatives must be filed with the Board of Registrars thirty-five days prior to the date of the preliminary town election and with the Town Clerk twenty-eight days prior to the date of the preliminary town election and shall be signed by not less than one hundred registered voters of the town, increased by one-fifth thereof. Nomination papers for the office of town meeting representatives must be filed with the Board of Registrars thirty-five days prior to the annual town election and with the Town Clerk twenty-eight days prior to the annual town election. Incumbents seeking re-election may designate only the word "re-election" on their nomination papers and on the ballot.
Section 8-5. Position of Candidates for Town Offices
The names of the candidates for town office shall be placed in numerical sequence based upon a random number drawn by the candidate or his representative at the time of the filing nomination papers. This number shall be affixed to the nomination papers of the candidate in his presence or in the presence of his representative by the Town Clerk. Candidates for the final election, that have been nominated in a preliminary election shall draw for their ballot position on the day following the preliminary election. In the event the candidate or his representative cannot be present for this drawing of ballot position, the Town Clerk shall draw for the candidate.
Section 8-6. Restrictions on Offices
Except as indicated in this Charter, no elected or appointed official may hold more than one town office recognized and established by this Charter. Elected or appointed town officials shall be defined as follows:
- Elected Officials - one elected by ballot to a town office established by this charter, or to a town board, town authority, or town commission established by the general laws.
- Appointed Official - one appointed by an elected official, elected board, or appointed by the Town Manager to an appointed town office specifically established by this charter, or to a town board, town authority, or town commission established by the general laws.
Charter Commissioners may be elected or appointed from any of the registered voters of the town, whether they are candidates for another town office or an incumbent elected or appointed official. A charter commission shall mean a commission established by state statute or referendum organized for the purpose of revising or creating a charter for the Town of Stoughton.
Federal, state, county, or regional elected or appointed officials shall not be considered as disqualified to be elected or appointed to any town office established by this charter.
Section 8-7. Restriction on Election
No person may be a candidate for more than one town government office
at each election, except as a candidate for a charter commission, as defined in
Section 8-8. Election of Town Meeting Representatives
Nomination of candidates for town meeting representatives shall be from among the registered voters of the precinct. Nomination papers shall bear no political designation and shall be signed by not less than twenty-five registered voters of the precinct in which the candidate resides, increased by one-fifth thereof. No nomination papers will be valid in respect to any candidate to which this section applies unless his written acceptance is endorsed thereon or attached thereto.
Section 8-9. Date New Officials Take Office
Elected town officials shall take office two days after the regular town election.
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