The New Bedford Elections Office Head Manuel DeBrito confirmed to New Bedford Guide that the petitioners to bring the mayoral term in New Bedford from 2 years to 4 years has met the minimum 2,800 signatures required to show up as a ballot question on the November, 7, 2017. If passed, the 2019 election for New Bedford mayor would be a four year term.
The petitioners were President of Farland Corporation Christian Farland, President & CEO of the SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce Rick Kidder and John Markey.
Here is the wording on the petition:
I support placing the issue of whether the City should adopt Massachusetts General Law Chapter 43, Section 17C on the November 7, 2017 ballot. I understand that the question will determine whether or not a four year mayoral term should become the law beginning in 2019. I further understand that the specific question that will be placed the ballot shall be:
“Shall the term of office for the Mayor of the City of New Bedford be four years?”
Here is the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 43, Section 17C:
Four Year Term Petition - Chapter 43 - Section 17C (1)