Town Offices

Descriptions - There are many ways to serve your town as an elected official. The Secretary of State's office has written descriptions of each role and links to specific duties outlined in state statute.

Questions - Your town clerk can provide you with more details of each position and answer any specific questions you may have. Find your town clerk.

Filing deadlines - From the Secretary of State: "As a candidate for elected office, you must file a completed nominating petition and a consent of candidate form with your town clerk no later than 5:00PM on the sixth Monday before Town Meeting Day."

• 5PM Mon, January 26, 2026

• 5PM Mon, January 25, 2027

• 5PM Mon, January 31, 2028

Election dates - In Franklin County, town meetings are held on the first Tuesday in March. Elected positions are chosen on voting day by the voters:

• Tue, March 3rd, 2026

• Tue, March 2nd, 2027

• Tue, March 7th, 2028

Appointed positions will be made later at a meeting of your town selectboard or city council.

What do I need to file? From the Secretary of State: "Towns that elect officers by Australian ballot require candidates to submit a nominating petition signed by 30 voters or one percent of the checklist — whichever is less. The petition must clearly indicate the office and term length on the petition prior to circulating it for signatures, and the candidates name must appear on the petition exactly as it appears on the voter checklist."

Additionally, "Candidates who are running in towns that vote officers by Australian ballot must file a written consent to the printing of the candidate’s name on the ballot at the same time that their petition is filed (no later than 5 p.m. on the sixth Monday prior to the election.) The candidate's name will appear on the ballot exactly as it listed on the consent of candidate form."

• Nominating Petition (PDF)

• Candidate Consent (PDF)

My town meets in-person. What do I do? From the Secretary of State: "Towns that elect their local official officers at a floor meeting nominate candidates during the meeting (a voter will nominate the candidate who can then accept or decline to run)."

Additional Questions - The Secretary of State's office has FAQs, forms, and petitions for local candidates on its website.