While the snow covers the ground, daffodils and democracy are both doing the work they need in order to bloom this spring.
Acton voters elect several people every spring to help run the town, the schools, and the Water District. The following offices are open this year.
- Moderator, One Year Term, 1 seat
- Select Board Member, Three Year Term, 2 seats
- School Committee Member (Acton Boxborough Regional School District), Three Year Term, 3 seats representing Acton
- Acton Memorial Library Trustee, Three Year Term, 1 seat
- Acton Housing Authority Member, Five Year Term, 1 seat
- Acton Water District Clerk, Three Year Term, 1 seat
- Acton Water District Commissioner, Three Year Term, 1 seat
As of this writing, there are no incumbents running for the following seats:
- Select Board: 1 seat
- School Committee: 2 seats
- Acton Memorial Library Trustee, 1 Seat (2 Year Term)
- Acton Water District Clerk: 1 seat
If you’re interested in running for one of these positions, you can pick up nomination papers at the Town Clerk’s office inside of Town Hall. If you have questions, contact the Clerk’s office.
To learn about running for local office, check out the information from the Acton Area League of Women Voters.
Running for town office
If you decide to run for town office, be aware of the following dates by which certain things need to happen. Also, keep track of when the Town Clerk’s office is open.
Last day (at 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted) to:
- Obtain nomination papers for the Town Election: Saturday March 7. You must pick up nomination papers from the Town Clerk’s office (on the first floor of Town Hall) in person.
- File nomination papers with Town Clerk: Monday March 23. To file nomination papers, you must include at least 50 signatures from voters registered in Acton. Most candidates gather at least 70 signatures, just to make sure they have enough readable, valid signatures.
- Withdraw from the town ballot or file an objection: Friday March 27. For information about filing objections, see Mass. general law, Chapter 55B, section 7.
If you’re a registered Acton voter, you can help candidates by signing their nomination papers. Candidates often go to the transfer station or library looking for signatures.
Becoming an Acton voter
As an Acton voter, you register to vote with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Once registered, US citizens over the age of 18 can vote in all local, state, and national elections.
For information about registering to vote, including for new US citizens, see Registering to Vote from the Secretary of State’s website.
For local elections, you can either vote by mail or vote in person on election day. For state and federal elections, Acton also provides early voting opportunities.
To vote by mail, you need to register every year at Voting by Mail. Once you register, you can choose the elections for which you want a mail-in ballot. Note that even if you get a ballot in the mail, you can still vote in person on election day.
Important dates for voters in 2026
As an Acton voter, you have two opportunities to have your voice heard. At the Town Election, on April 28, you can help choose the people you want to represent you for the town, school, and water district. Then, at Town Meeting, on May 4, you vote for how the Town will spend funds for the next year, along with voting on changes to laws and regulations, as presented in the town warrant.
- Annual Town Election (at RJ Grey Junior High) – Tuesday, April 28, 2026
- Annual Town Meeting (in the AB High School Auditorium) – Monday, May 4, 2026
For more information about Town Meeting, see A Guide to Acton’s Town Meeting, which is somewhat outdated but provides an overview of how Town Meeting works and who is involved (Moderator, Select Board, Finance Committee, and so on). The Town Warrant must be posted or published by April 14.
Citizen’s Petitions
Acton’s Town Charter contains a provision for “Petitioner’s Warrant Articles.” These are articles brought forward by citizens, rather than by the Select Board or a department of Town government. The Charter requires 10 signatures to place a petition on the warrant for Annual Town Meeting.
Forms for Citizen Petitions will be available after the warrant is opened by the Select Board. Completed petitions must be received in the Clerk’s office 48 hours prior to the close of the warrant, a date determined by the Select Board.
Miriam Lezak is an Acton Exchange associate editor, who occasionally writes articles. She is also a corporate (appointed) trustee for the Acton Library.
