S 3148

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 4016        FILED ON: 6/23/2026
 SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3148
  OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
  COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
  STATE HOUSE · BOSTON, MA 02133
  (617) 725-4000
   MAURA T. HEALEY  KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL
      GOVERNOR  LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
  June 23, 2026
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives,
  Pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 8, Paragraph 1, Clause (2) of the
Amendments to the Constitution, as appearing in Article LXXXIX of said Amendments, I am
filing for your consideration the attached legislation entitled “An Act Validating the 2026 Annual
Elections in the Town of Oakham.”
       I am filing this legislation at the request of the Town of Oakham’s Select Board, with
support from Oakham’s legislative delegation.
        This legislation would ratify, validate, and confirm the May 18, 2026, annual town
election in the Town of Oakham and all official actions taken in connection since, after it was
discovered that a warrant for said election had not been voted on by the Select Board or posted as
required by M.G.L. c.39, §10. I understand that the voters and residents of Oakham had received
adequate notice of the election, with election day information posted on official channels such as
the Town’s website, the Town Clerk’s page, and within the municipal calendar.
        Without legislation validating this election, the Town’s technical failure to comply with
the warrant requirement would mean that all officials elected at this election, and the work that
they undertake in their elected offices thereafter, may be subject to legal challenge. I therefore
respectfully urge your prompt consideration of this bill so that the officials elected at Oakham's
May 18, 2026, annual town election may continue serving in their elected roles without
disruption.
  Respectfully Submitted,
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  Maura T. Healey,
  Governor
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      SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3148
    Senate, June 25, 2026 -- Message from Her Excellency the Governor (pursuant to the provisions
    of Article II, Section 8, Paragraph 1, Clause (2) of the Amendments to the Constitution, as
    appearing in Article LXXXIX of said Amendments) recommending legislation to validating the
    2026 annual elections in the town of Oakham.
  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  _______________
  In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
  (2025-2026)
  _______________
    An Act validating the 2026 annual election in the town of Oakham.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
    of the same, as follows:
1  SECTION 1. Notwithstanding section 10 of chapter 39 of the General Laws or any other
2   general or special law to the contrary, the acts and proceedings taken by the town of Oakham at
3   the town election held on May 18, 2026, and all actions taken pursuant thereto, are hereby
4   ratified, validated and confirmed, notwithstanding any failure to vote, publish or post the warrant
5   for that election.
6  SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
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