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MassachusettsH 862194th General Court (2025-2026)House

An Act regarding the recall of elected officers of the town of Sharon

Sponsored By: Edward R. Philips (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Election LawsHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

How a Sharon recall election works

The recall ballot first asks “For the recall of [name]” and “Against the recall of [name],” then lists candidates alphabetically. If a majority votes for recall, candidate votes decide the successor; if a majority votes against, candidate votes are not counted. The officer stays in office until the election, and unless they opt out in writing, their name appears on the ballot without nomination. If re-elected, they finish the term. If they lose, they are removed when the successor qualifies; the successor has 7 business days to qualify, or the office becomes vacant and the recalled officer is removed. Anyone recalled, or who resigns while a recall is pending, cannot be appointed to any town office for 2 years.

How to start a Sharon recall

A recall starts with an affidavit signed by at least 50 registered Sharon voters, with street addresses, naming the officer and grounds, under penalty of perjury. The town clerk has 7 business days to verify signatures and grounds. If valid, within 2 business days the clerk issues signed and sealed blank petitions listing the officer, office, grounds, a demand for a successor election, and the first 10 affidavit signers; a copy is kept in the clerk’s records. The petition needs signatures from at least 10% of registered voters from the last annual town election, with street addresses, and must be filed by the posted closing time on the 60th day after the clerk’s notice (next business day if a weekend or holiday); the clerk tells the main petitioner the final deadline. Within 7 business days after filing, the clerk and registrars certify valid signatures as of the affidavit date; if sufficient, the clerk sends it to the select board within 2 business days. The board must notify the officer within 3 business days and, if there is no resignation in 3 days, order a recall election within 5 more business days for a date 64–90 days later, or place it on another town ballot within 100 days; if a vacancy occurs after ordering, the recall still goes forward.

When Sharon voters can recall officials

The law lets Sharon voters recall any elected town officer. A recall must claim specific grounds: a felony or other serious crime; not taking the oath within 30 days; missing required state ethics training within 30 days; an intentional ethics or oath violation; or poor attendance that hurts a board. An official’s votes or opinions alone do not count as grounds. You cannot file a recall in the first 6 months in office, the last 6 months of the term, or until 6 months after a failed recall election.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Edward R. Philips

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 23 of the Acts of 2026

    2/13/2026

  2. Enacted and laid before the Governor

    2/5/2026Senate

  3. Enacted

    2/5/2026House

  4. Read third (title changed) and passed to be engrossed

    2/2/2026Senate

  5. Taken out of the Orders of the Day

    2/2/2026Senate

  6. Read second and ordered to a third reading

    1/29/2026Senate

  7. Read; and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session

    12/11/2025Senate

  8. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    12/8/2025House

  9. Read second and ordered to a third reading

    8/4/2025House

  10. Rules suspended

    8/4/2025House

  11. Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting

    8/4/2025House

  12. Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

    7/30/2025House

  13. Hearing scheduled for 05/06/2025 from 01:00 PM-04:00 PM in B-1

    4/28/2025legislature

  14. Senate concurred

    2/27/2025Senate

  15. Referred to the committee on Election Laws

    2/27/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chapter 23 of the Acts of 2026

    2/13/2026

    PDF

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