2013 New Bedford Election Timeline

Here is the 2013 New Bedford Election Timeline:

• May 20th: Nomination papers become available at the New Bedford City Hall
• Aug 20th: Deadline for filing nomination papers for certification of signatures (5 PM)
• Sep 3rd: The last day to officially file nomination papers (5 PM)
• Sep 5th: The last day to withdraw from race or object to nomination papers (5 PM)
• Sept 18th: Last day to register to vote for Preliminary Elections
• Oct 1st: Last day to file Political Finance Statements with the Board of Election Commissioners (5 PM).
• Oct 5th: Absentee Voting (9 AM – 12 PM)
• Oct 7th: Last day to file an absentee ballot application for Preliminary Election (12 PM)
• Oct 8th: Preliminary Election (7 AM – 8 PM) – top two move on to the Municipal Election
• Oct 14th: Last day to file recount petition with Board of Election Commissioners (5 PM)
• Oct 16th: Last day to register to vote for Municipal Elections (8 PM)
• Oct 28th: File Political Finance Statements with the Board of Election Commissioners (5 PM)
• Nov 2nd: Absentee Voting (9 AM – 12 PM)
• Nov 4th: Last day to file for an absentee ballot application (12 PM)
• Nov 5th: Municipal Election (7 AM – 8 PM)
• Nov 15th: Last day to file recount petition (5 PM)
• Jan, 2012: Winning candidates are sworn into office
• Jan: File Political Finance Statements with the Board of Election Commissioners

New Bedford Elected Offices
There are a total of 16 elected offices in the New Bedford elections.

• Mayor – Chief executive of the city.
• City Council (11 Seats) – Responsible for setting the city budget and appropriating all funds to run the city.  Confirms all mayoral appointments and is responsible for confirming all mayoral appointments. There are two types of city councilors; Councilors-at-Large and Ward Councilors:
  • Councilors-at-Large (5 seats)
  • Ward Councilors (Wards 1-6)
• School Committee (3 seats) –  There are seven seats on the school committee; the mayor and six elected officials. Each serve four years and three come up for election every two years.
• Assessor – Determine the value of all real and personal property located within the City of New Bedford for taxation purposes.

Important Resources:

• 2013 New Bedford Election Page
• 2011 New Bedford Election Page
• 2011 New Bedford Election Results
• The Federal Election Commission
• Massachusetts Elections Division
• New Bedford Elections Commision

New Bedford Election Commission
City Hall, Room 114
133 William Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Tel. : 508. 979.1421
Fax: 508. 979.1422
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8-4, Fri 8-12