Democracy
Relating to the principles and practice of democracy in Truro.
2024 Apr 16
New
22 days agoSnowbirds Can Be Registered to Vote in Truro
"Not a minimum amount of time that you need to be here to be a voter"
Board of Registrars hearing, with commentary by the Truro Town Clerk
0.4 min
Tags: voting, ~winter voting
22d2023 Apr 25
New
a month agoBundling of Warrant Articles is Poor Practice
At ATM 2023, 17 minutes elapsed as the voters debated unbundling Article 12.
Halfway through the debate, Richard Wood explaines why he believes unbundled articles provide better options for voters.
0.8 min
1m
1918 Nov 5
New
a month agoMassachusetts Constitution Article 48 and Bundling
Amendment Article 48 of the Massachusetts Constitution requires that the Attorney General’s Office certify an initiative measure if the following requirements are met:
The measure contains only subjects that are related or mutually dependent …
Regarding the specific question of bundling two unrelated articles together in a town meeting warrant for a single vote, Article 48 itself does not directly address the procedures and rules governing the conduct of town meetings or the formulation of warrants for town meetings.
Under Massachusetts law, the warrant for a town meeting must list all articles or issues to be discussed and voted upon. Each article in the warrant represents a separate matter or proposal. Generally, it is considered best practice for each article to address a single, distinct issue to ensure clarity and allow for focused discussion and voting. This approach aligns with the principles of transparent and accountable governance, enabling voters to express their opinions on specific matters without the potential confusion or coercion implied by bundling unrelated issues.
The measure contains only subjects that are related or mutually dependent …
Regarding the specific question of bundling two unrelated articles together in a town meeting warrant for a single vote, Article 48 itself does not directly address the procedures and rules governing the conduct of town meetings or the formulation of warrants for town meetings.
Under Massachusetts law, the warrant for a town meeting must list all articles or issues to be discussed and voted upon. Each article in the warrant represents a separate matter or proposal. Generally, it is considered best practice for each article to address a single, distinct issue to ensure clarity and allow for focused discussion and voting. This approach aligns with the principles of transparent and accountable governance, enabling voters to express their opinions on specific matters without the potential confusion or coercion implied by bundling unrelated issues.
1m