Throwing out a question here. Is anyone familiar with Chapter 53, Section 18B as it pertains to the requirements for towns to mail out the pro/con of ballot questions? Has it been activated in your city/town. If so, what have been the results? If not, why not?
Thanks!
Please share widely!
Christopher says
I am not aware of the town I grew up in doing this, and I’m sure I would have been aware for the question campaign that I chaired.
Trickle up says
“Opt-in” means the the municipality must vote to adopt Ch 53 to take effect. Otherwise, no explanation can be added to the ballot.
No I don’t know who has done that.
I actually think it’s a good idea.
We had one of these in my town recently from a tea party group and it was worded so oddly that a lot of people did not know what they were voting on.
A note, “This would cost the Town $6M in state and federal grants,” would have been instructive.
Fortunately, nonbinding, but still a lot of potential for mischief.
Scootermom says
The city/town solicitor selects the writers, if they do not respond, then the solicitor writes both sides. Once a town opts in, the city/town no longer has the option to decide whether to send the mailings. As far as I have been able to determine only Westwood and Groton have opted in and that was very recently.
I hear what you are saying, we had an additional question on the ballot in our district last year in regard to abortion rights. No info came out on it until one week before the election. Called TRAP… Target Restriction of Abortion Providers. Many people did not understand the question. Got fooled into thinking that it would protect women.