Elected Candidate Information
How do I run for an elected position?
In order to run for an elected town position, you must submit nomination papers to get on the ballet. The nomination papers must include 50 signatures of registered Cohasset voters.
You must file with the Town Clerk a written signed statement that you intend to be a candidate, giving your name, voting address, the office you seek and the term of office.
You may file your intentions in person or designate someone to act for you.
Your designee must bring with him your completed and signed intention statement (form found here) and your signed authorization that he may obtain nomination papers for you. Sign the intention statement and the authorization as you are registered.
Where do i get nomination papers?
Nomination papers become available well before the election, usually in early February. Nomination papers must be returned within approx. 45 days.
Nomination papers can be obtained from the Town Clerk. Each form is for a separate office so make sure you choose the correct papers for the office you would like to run for.
You may receive up to five (5) blank nomination papers. Each paper must be completely filled out at the top (except political designation) before you collect any signatures.
When are nomination papers due?
Nomination papers for the 2024 local election are due to the Cohasset Town Clerk by Friday, May 3, 2024 by 5pm.
are there guidelines for getting the signatures?
You can pick up as many sheets from the Term Clerk as you’d like and you don’t need to fill each page with signatures.
We highly recommend obtaining at least 100 signatures to ensure that at least 50 of them are considered legitimate.
Once signatures are obtained and signed by a voter, they cannot be altered or added to by anyone or they will be rejected.
Signatures should be substantially in the same form as the signer is registered. The Registrars may certify a signature when the middle name or initial has been included or omitted or when they can identify the name as a registered voter. Titles such as Dr., Mr., Mrs., may be included but are not necessary. A married woman must sign her own given name and not that of her husband. Mrs. Mary Smith is acceptable, but Mrs. John Smith is not. Suffixes such as Sr., Jr., II, III, should be included in the signature.
To avoid questions as to whether or not a signature can be certified, it is suggested that you have a street list or voting list with you while collecting signatures to check how the signer is registered. You are entitled to one free copy of the street list and one free copy of the voting list. Additional copies are available at $15.00 each.
Where can I get more information?
The Cohasset Town Clerk posts all relevant information on their website. This information can be found here:
Positions Available (Coming Soon)
RTF Solicitation Form (to get signatures at the transfer station)