PRIA Logo™
MassachusettsS 2789194th General Court (2025-2026)Senate

An Act providing for recall elections in the town of Rutland

Sponsored By: Kimberly N. Ferguson (Republican), Peter J. Durant (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Election LawsHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

How Rutland recall elections work

If registrars certify enough signatures, the Select Board notifies the officer. If the officer does not resign within 5 business days, the Board orders a recall election 64 to 90 days after the order. The Board may hold it on the same date as another town election if one is within 100 days after the certificate date. The incumbent stays in office until the vote. Ballots show two choices: For the recall or Against the recall, plus the list of candidates in alphabetical order. If a majority votes For recall, count the candidate votes and the top vote‑getter serves the rest of the term. If the recall fails, candidate votes do not count. The winner must take office within 10 business days after notice or the seat is vacant and filled by law.

Limits on recalled Rutland officials

An official who is on the recall ballot cannot run to succeed themselves in that recall. Anyone removed under this law, or who resigns after recall petitions are issued and before results are certified, cannot be appointed to any Rutland town office, board, commission, or committee for one year after removal or resignation.

How Rutland voters start a recall

You cannot file a recall within 6 months after an officer takes office, within 6 months before the term ends, or until 6 months after a failed recall vote. To start a recall, 200 registered Rutland voters must file a sworn affidavit naming the officer, the office, the grounds, a lead petitioner, and the first 10 signers. Within 3 business days, the Town Clerk certifies how many signers are voters. The Clerk then notifies the lead petitioner and issues petition blanks with the Clerk’s facsimile signature and seal, dated and addressed to the Select Board, demanding recall and a successor election. Petitions must be returned within 21 days of that notice with signatures from at least 10% of qualified voters as of the affidavit date. Each signer must list their street address and unit, if any. The Clerk sends petitions to the Board of Registrars, which has 5 business days to certify voter signatures as of the affidavit date. If the Town Clerk is the recall target, the assistant clerk or a temporary clerk performs these duties.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Kimberly N. Ferguson

    Republican • House

  • Peter J. Durant

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 6 • No: 0

committee vote • 1/14/2026

Committee Favorable: Ought to pass

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2026

    5/13/2026

  2. Enacted and laid before the Governor

    5/4/2026Senate

  3. Enacted

    5/4/2026House

  4. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    4/30/2026House

  5. Read second and ordered to a third reading

    4/9/2026House

  6. Rules suspended

    4/9/2026House

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

    4/9/2026House

  8. Read; and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

    3/23/2026House

  9. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    3/19/2026Senate

  10. Taken out of the Orders of the Day

    3/19/2026Senate

  11. Read, rules suspended, read second and ordered to a third reading

    1/15/2026Senate

  12. Bill reported favorably by committee

    1/15/2026Senate

  13. Hearing rescheduled to 12/15/2025 from 09:00 AM-05:00 PM in Written Testimony Only<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing date changed</span>

    12/10/2025legislature

  14. Hearing scheduled for 12/12/2025 from 09:00 AM-05:00 PM in Written Testimony Only

    12/10/2025legislature

  15. House concurred

    12/8/2025House

  16. Referred to the committee on Election Laws

    12/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2026

    5/13/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation