Ballot question to move the vote an important first step
By GuestDear Editor:
Thanks to over 2,000 residents who signed petitions to Move the Vote, Canton voters will have the opportunity on the April 2025 ballot to indicate whether they want to sync our local election with state and federal elections in November. This one change, often starting on the local level, is cited as the single most impactful good government reform to improve voter turnout and engage more residents in town government.
It’s important to note that if the voters pass the ballot initiative to move the vote, this only begins the process.
The ballot initiative is non-binding and advisory to the Select Board. At least three members of the Select Board would ultimately have to vote to file a home rule petition with the state legislature in order to make the change.
Moreover, Canton’s town clerk has expressed good faith concerns and identified legitimate issues that would have to be addressed before such a change could be implemented. These issues would require hard work and the involvement of numerous stakeholders in crafting the specifics of a home rule petition and marshaling it through the legislative process. Should it be the will of Canton voters, our state Senator Paul Feeney has committed to champion the home rule petition through the legislature. Canton Residents to Move the Vote acknowledges the complexity of this process and is committed to supporting the work necessary to make an ultimate change a fully successful one that the town can be proud to support.
But none of the work necessary to make this change a reality will likely happen without a strong indication of the will of the voters. Please vote ‘Yes’ to Move the Vote. Vote by mail or during early voting at Town Hall, or vote in person on April 8. (Remember that voting by mail requires a voter to first obtain and file an application for a mail-in ballot, available on the town’s website.)
Lisa Lopez
Jennifer Wexler
Canton Residents to Move the Vote (movethevote.info)
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=131306
Posted by Guest
on Mar 6 2025. Filed under From One Citizen to Another, Opinion.
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