MassachusettsBrockton candidates would need a year of local residence
A proposed Brockton amendment would require candidates for local office to live in their ward or city for a year, and remove officials who move away.
What it does
Candidates for ward council and school committee seats, mayor, or councilor-at-large would need to live in the area they seek to represent for at least a year before the election.
An officeholder who moves out of the required ward or out of Brockton would be removed, and the office would be declared vacant.
Argument forA year of local residence could help ensure elected officials have a recent connection to the ward or city they represent.
Argument againstA candidate who recently moved into the ward or city could be barred from running, even if they otherwise know the community well.
More detail
The proposed amendment would require candidates to live in their ward or in Brockton for at least a year before the election. The rule covers candidates for ward city council and school committee seats, and candidates for mayor or councilor-at-large in Brockton. The year of residence must be immediately before the election. The amendment says it would take effect upon passage.
The proposed amendment would remove officeholders who no longer live in the area required for their position. Ward councilors and school committee members must live in their ward; the mayor and councilors-at-large must live in Brockton. The amendment says it would take effect upon passage. Removal applies when an officeholder no longer lives in the required area.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 3Text of an amendment, see S2957Introduced
Civil Rights & Voting