When the selectmen set a date for Town Caucus, as they did Jan. 20, you know that Town Meeting and elections are just around the corner.
No one knows for sure where the word “caucus” came from. Some say it was used to describe a meeting of Boston caulkers (it helps if you’ve got a Boston accent). Some say it was derived from an Algonquian word for “adviser.” Regardless, the caucus has been around since the days of John Adams. But while most town caucuses have gone the way of quill pens, the tradition lives on here in Harvard.
The Town Caucus is where we nominate candidates to fill upcoming vacancies on elected town boards. For office-seekers, a nomination is the most direct way to get on the ballot. For their supporters, it’s a chance to have a direct say in who runs. For newcomers to town, it’s a chance to mingle with some of Harvard’s movers and shakers. And it rarely lasts more than 15 minutes.
This year’s caucus will convene Saturday night in the Town Hall meeting room at 7 p.m.; elections will be held April 7. Below, you’ll find our handy guide to this classic New England tradition. See you there.
Harvard Caucus in a nutshell
Before the caucus
- The caucus must be held a minimum of 38 days before town elections. Elections this year are on April 7, so the caucus meets the 38-day minimum requirement.
- Notice of the caucus must be issued at least seven days prior to the caucus. On Jan. 20, 2015, the Board of Selectmen signed the caucus warrant, and it was immediately posted.
- The warrant must be posted in five locations around town. Harvard’s five locations are Town Hall lobby, both post offices, the library, and Hildreth House.
At the caucus
- Registered voters arrive and sign in prior to 7 p.m.
- At 7 p.m. the town clerk brings down the gavel to start the event.
- A chairperson is nominated and voted on.
- The chairperson takes over.
- A recording secretary is nominated and voted on.
- For each open position, the chairperson asks voters for nominations. If more than two people are nominated and seconded, the caucus votes and the top two are declared nominated. The secretary records results.
- The caucus adjourns.
After the caucus
- Caucus nominees may sign papers accepting nomination before leaving the caucus.
- Nomination papers are available for anyone still seeking a nomination.
- Nominees must sign papers accepting their nomination by 5 p.m. at least 35 days prior to the election. Nomination papers must also be returned by that same deadline. The deadline this year is Tuesday, March 3, at 5 p.m.
