Framingham Patch Election Policy 2016

Framingham Patch will cover the town election in March, but will not be endorsing any candidate.

The community news site has never endorsed any candidate, since we launched on Dec. 1 2010.

The town election is Tuesday, March 29.

Election Deadlines

• The deadline to submit nomination papers for town-wide office is Jan. 12 at 5 p.m. 50 signatures of registered voters is required.
• The deadline to submit nomination papers for Charter Commission is Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. 100 signatures of registered voters is required.
• The deadline for incumbent Town Meeting member to submit their intent to run for re-election to the Framingham Town Clerk is Feb. 2.
• New Town Meeting members wishing to be on the ballot must submit 25 signatures from registered voters in their precinct to the Town Clerk’s office by Feb. 9.

Framingham Patch encourage discussion on candidates and the ballot question to form a Charter Commission.

Candidates may join the conversation, but with a few rules.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Candidates are invited to submit one written announcement, with their reasons for running for town-wide office and their platform to Framingham Patch. It must be 500 words or less and be emailed to the editor at susan.petroni@patch.com no later than Friday, Jan. 15. All announcements will run no later than Monday, Jan. 18.

Charter Commission and Town Meeting member candidates may submit one written announcement up to 250 words with a photo no later than Friday, Feb. 12. All announcements will run no later than Feb. 20.

Al candidates may submit up to two photos, they choose, and email it to susan.petroni@patch.com to run with the announcement and for future use on Framingham Patch.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor will be accepted during the campaign period from candidates.

Letters must be signed and include a phone number and e-mail address for verification.

Letters must be 500 words or less.

No more than one letter to the editor, per candidate, per week.

Letter writers may only write about a specific issue up to three times, during the election period.

The last day letters to the editor will be accepted is Sunday, March 20. The final day letters will be published is Monday, March 21.

Letters to the editor, in support of a candidate, will be allowed. The same deadline applies.

CANDIDATE EVENTS: Candidates, their campaign members, and residents are invited to submit fundraiser and other campaign-related events. Maximum word count is 200 words. The final day events will be published is Friday, March 25.

Patch may choose to run all announcements in an election calendar or run each individually.

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Preference will be given to Town-wide candidates over Town Meeting member candidates, if Framingham Patch receives too many letters to the editors or event announcements.