Charlie Breitrose
Watertown residents wishing to run for local office can now take out papers to run in the 2023 Watertown City Election, which will be held on Nov. 7.
If there are enough candidates to require a Preliminary Election, that will be held on Sept. 19.
The City Clerk’s Office provided the following information:
Offices on the Ballot
Any Watertown registered voter who is interested in running for office can visit the City Clerk’s Office beginning Friday, May 12, 2023 to pick up Nomination Papers for the offices of City Council President and member of the School Committee (1), Councilor-at-large (4), District Councilor (1 for each District), Board of Library Trustees (3) and School Committee (3) for the 2023 Municipal City Election.
| Office | Term Length | Number of Openings |
|---|---|---|
| City Council President & Member of School Committee | 2 years | 1 |
| District A Councilor | 2 years | 1 |
| District B Councilor | 2 years | 1 |
| District C Councilor | 2 years | 1 |
| District D Councilor | 2 years | 1 |
| Councilor-At-Large | 2 years | 4 |
| Board of Library Trustees | 4 years | 3 |
| School Committee | 4 years | 3 |
Certified signatures of at least one hundred (100) voters are the minimum necessary for placement on the preliminary ballot for City Council President & Member of School Committee; Councilor-at-large; Board of Library Trustees; or School Committee, not more than fifty (50) of which are from any one district. For the Office of District Councilor, not less than one hundred (100) signatures from the district from which the nomination is sought.
The last day and hour to submit nomination papers for candidates for city office to the Election Commission in the City Clerk’s Office for certification is July 31 at 5 p.m.
Vote by Mail
Massachusetts voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all Municipal, State and Federal Elections, with no excuse required.
The State does NOT mail out application cards for Municipal Elections. If you would like to vote by mail in the 2023 Municipal City Elections, you must submit a SIGNED application to the City Clerk’s Office via mail, drop box, email or in person. Vote by Mail Application (PDF)
Voter Registration
You can check your voter registration status by visiting the Secretary of State’s website. Online Voter Application
If you have not yet registered to vote, you may do so by visiting the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall or you may register online. Online Voter Application
The deadline to register to vote in any election is ten (10) days prior to the date of the election. (Sept. 8 for the Preliminary, Oct. 27 for the City Election).
More information is available on the Election Dates and Deadlines page on the City’s website.