By Mr. deMacedo of Plymouth, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4267) of Viriato Manuel deMacedo  and Thomas J. Calter (by vote of the town) that the charter of the town of Plymouth include certain information for voters relative to the placement of questions on the ballot in said town. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Viriato Manuel deMacedo

Thomas J. Calter

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to the charter of the town of Plymouth

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding section 22A of chapter 55 of the General Laws, section 21C of chapter 59 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary section 5 of the home rule charter of the town of Plymouth, which is on file with the archivist of the commonwealth pursuant to section 12 of chapter 43B of the General Laws is hereby adding the following subsection:-

5-1-3 Information for voters.

The official election ballot in the Town of Plymouth shall include a fair and concise summary of any binding or non-binding question to be submitted solely to the voters of said town, along with a one sentence statement describing the effect of a yes or no vote, both prepared by town counsel of said town and approved by the board of selectmen.  Submission to the town clerk of such summary and one sentence statements shall be governed by the provisions of section 42C of chapter 54 of the General Laws.  The board of selectmen of the town of Plymouth shall, no less than 7 nor more than 14 days preceding the date of the election at which the question is to be voted upon, publish the following in a newspaper of general circulation in the town: (1) the full text of such question; (2) a fair and concise summary of such question; (3) and one sentence statements describing the effect of a yes or no vote on such question; provided, however, that failure to publish timely shall not affect the validity of the election.  The board of selectmen shall also post the full text of each ballot question, summary, and one sentence statements in one or more locations in the town and/or on the town’s official website, at the discretion of the board, and make the same available at each polling place on the day of the election.  The town may, by bylaw, require additional posting or publishing of such information, subject to available funds and any other conditions that may be imposed by bylaw.

SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.