Frequently Asked Questions

Find voter requirements and instructions for voter registration on the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website.

View a listing of these officials on our State and Federal Elected Officials page.

Learn more by visiting the State Public Records Division website.

Observers are allowed in a designated space, behind a guard rail, at least six feet from voters, poll workers, and marking shelves. 

However, any engagement, disruption, or intimidation of voters is illegal. Observers shall only observe quietly from behind the guard rail. If observers are deemed in any way disruptive by Election Officials, they will be asked to leave the polling location. The Town Clerk may ask for the assistance of law enforcement if desired.

For more detailed information, see the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Advisory on the subject: https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-healey-issues-advisory-on-poll-monitoring-and-voter-intimidation

Or view Chapter 54 of Massachusetts General Law: https://malegislature.gov/laws/generallaws/parti/titleviii/chapter54; Sections 25 and 69 in particular.

Voters who wish to run for an open seat in the Annual Town Election can appear on the ballot by nomination through Nomination Papers or at the Annual Caucus. 

Nomination by the Caucus

Only two candidates for each open seat may be nominated at the Caucus. If there are more than two voters who wish to be the candidate for a seat, a vote will be taken and those nominees with the most votes will appear on the ballot. 

Nomination by Signature

The more assured way of appearing on the ballot is to submit Nomination Papers. You must collect at least twenty-five (25) ink signatures of registered voters in Carlisle. Electronic signatures or stamps are not valid signatures. The signature must belong to a valid registered voter in Carlisle. 

If interested in running in a statewide election or primary, visit the website of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division (state.ma.us) and look under "Getting on the Ballot" or follow this link Candidates-Guide-generic.pdf (state.ma.us) to the Secretary's Candidate Guide.