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Amherst council asks judge to set special election for Nov. 2, 2027 to maximize turnout
Summary
Town staff told council deadlines make it unlikely a candidate could qualify for this year's ballot; the council voted to request the judge set the special election for Nov. 2, 2027 and authorized filing the writ to notify the registrar.
The Amherst Town Council voted to ask the court to set a special election on Nov. 2, 2027, citing higher expected turnout and a compressed calendar that makes qualifying for this year’s ballot unlikely.
Staff counsel reviewed the statutory timeline and told the council the last day a candidate could be added this year would be Aug. 14 given early‑voting schedules, and that filing and judicial processing would leave insufficient time for most prospective candidates to collect required petition signatures. "Given that we're at July 28... the last time that someone would be able to get on the ballot for this year would be August 14," Staff member Miss McGuffin said as she outlined options including an earlier standalone election or asking the judge to set the date in November. Council member (Speaker 3) moved to seek the Nov. 2, 2027 general election date "to provide the highest voter turnout," the motion was seconded by the mayor and carried on a voice vote.
Staff cautioned the court has final authority to set the date but said judges generally defer to counsel; staff will file the writ and notify the registrar as directed. The council emphasized the Nov. 2, 2027 date is intended to give candidates time to qualify and to avoid the low turnout associated with single‑item standalone elections.
