Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H3872

Introduced
5/22/23  
Refer
5/22/23  
Refer
5/25/23  
Engrossed
5/30/23  
Engrossed
5/30/23  
Enrolled
5/30/23  
Chaptered
5/30/23  

Caption

Relative to district city council election in the city of Boston

Impact

The bill also reaffirms that the regular municipal final election will occur on November 7, 2023, ensuring consistency in the electoral calendar. While it preserves existing timelines for city councilors at large, it presents new guidelines specifically affecting district council positions. This could potentially alter the election dynamics by changing how candidates approach the nomination process with newly defined timelines and requirements.

Summary

House Bill 3872 addresses the operational aspects of the district city council elections in Boston. It sets specific deadlines for nomination papers, such as the last day for making application being June 13, 2023, and the deadlines for filing those nominations and for certification of signatures. These provisions are particularly important as they pertain to the district city councilor elections set for September 12, 2023. The bill aims to clarify and streamline the election process within the municipality to ensure a smooth electoral experience.

Contention

One notable point includes the provisions that allow signatures gathered for nomination papers to still be valid under newly defined district lines, provided that candidates meet residency requirements. This aspect could lead to disputes as it allows candidates to carry over support from a previous district, leading to questions about fairness and transparency in the candidate selection process. Additionally, it gives the Boston Elections Commission the discretion to alter election dates with notable restrictions, which could raise concerns about the clarity and consistency of election administration.

Companion Bills

MA H4175

Similar To Designating a the Greatest Neighborhood Park, in the city of Boston, as the “Jim Campano Park"

MA H4676

Similar To To improve and modernize planning and community development in the city of Boston

MA H4880

Similar To Relative to the expansion of a branch of the Boston Public Library within an affordable housing development in the West End Neighborhood of the downtown sections of the city of Boston

MA H5039

Similar To Authorizing additional licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the city of Boston

MA H5099

Similar To Relative to property tax classification in the city of Boston

Previously Filed As

MA H4090

Relative to the office of district councilor in the city of Boston

MA S2511

Relative to the office of district councilor in the city of Boston

MA H841

Granting the city of Boston the authority to endow legal voting rights in municipal elections for city of Boston residents aged 16 and 17 years old

MA HB982

Barnesville, City of; city council; change description of election districts

MA S2510

Relative to the election of the mayor, city councilor and school committee in the city of Brockton

MA H5227

Further regulating the filling of vacancies on the city council relative to the office of ward councilor in the City of Marlborough

MA H3682

Relative to a certain road in the city of Boston

MA S1075

Amends existing law to provide that cities with 25,000 residents or less may provide for election of councilmen by districts and that cities with greater than 25,000 residents shall provide for the election of councilmen by districts.

MA H0720

Amends existing law to provide that cities with 25,000 residents or less may provide for election of councilmen by districts and that cities with greater than 25,000 residents shall provide for the election of councilmen by districts.

MA HB187

Virginia Beach, City of; amending charter, transition to a city council, voting districts.

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