How To Run For Local Office

How to Run for Local Office

Getting Your Name on the Ballot

Per our charter, Bellingham’s annual election is held the first Tuesday of June each year. Positions up for election will be posted by the Town Clerk’s office, as well as terms and incumbents. 

To have your name appear on the ballot for any of these local positions, you must be over 18 years, a registered voter in Bellingham and file nomination papers with the Town Clerk’s office. Dates for nomination papers vary but are generally available the beginning of March. You must amass 50 signatures from Bellingham registered voters, to be verified by the Board of Registrars. Your signatures must be submitted by the deadline; this date will vary year to year but will be available prior to nomination papers being obtained (MGL 53, Sec7). We recommend gathering more than 50 signatures as a safety measure.

Campaign Finance Filings and Requirements

Once your nomination has been accepted, there are several campaign finance forms that will need to be filled out. All candidates should visit https://ocpf.us/Filers/GettingStarted and complete the 5 steps required under “Local Offices”.

All candidates for Town-wide elected office must file campaign finance forms with the Town Clerk's office eight (8) days before a local election, thirty (30) days after a local election and a year-end report due January 20th.

ALL CANDIDATES MUST FILE M101 AND M102 FORMS.

Running a Write-In Campaign

If you didn’t file nomination papers in time, there’s always the opportunity to run a write-in or sticker campaign. The guidelines from the Secretary of State’s office can be found at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/getting-on-the-ballot/how-to-run-as-a-write-in-candidate.htm. 

Requesting Voters Lists

The Clerk’s office has lists of voter lists of previous federal, state and local elections. If you or your campaign would like a list of voters, please email townclerk@bellinghamma.org

Campaign Activity


   Please note that on Election Day, campaigning is prohibited within 150 feet of the entrance to a polling place (MGL Ch. 54, Section 65).