UPDATED: Framingham Patch Election Policy: April 2013 Town Election

Framingham Patch will cover the town election in April 2013, but will not be endorsing any candidate. We will be researching, reporting and writing our own election articles.

The deadline to submit nomination papers is Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. for town-wide elected office. The deadline to withdraw from the election is Thursday, Feb. 7.

It is Patch's policy to not write reports on individuals who pull papers, but rather when individuals return papers with the required signatures.

Incumbent Town Meeting members have until Tuesday, Feb. 12 to announce their candidacy for re-election with the Framingham Town Clerk's office. Four Town meeting members in each of the town's 18 precincts are up for re-election.

Those who wish to run for Town Meeting, must submit 25 signatures of registered voters in their precinct to the Town Clerk's office by 5 p.m. on Feb. 19 to be on the April ballot.

The town's annual election is typically the first Tuesday in the month of April, but in 2013 it was moved to Tuesday, April 9 to accommodate the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Framingham Patch is a community news site. We encourage participation. Candidates may join the conversation, but with a few rules.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Candidates are invited to submit one written announcement, with their reasons for running and their platform to Framingham Patch. It must be 500 words or less and be e-mailed to the editor at susan.petroni@patch.com no later than Friday, Jan. 25. All announcements will run no later than Friday, Feb. 1.

PHOTOS: Candidates may also submit up to two photos, they choose, and e-mail it to susan.petroni@patch.com to run with the announcement and for future use on Framingham Patch.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:  Letters to the editor will be accepted during the campaign period from candidates. Letters must be signed and include a phone number and e-mail address for verification. Letters must be 350 words or less. 

No more than one letter to the editor, per candidate, per week. Letter writers may only write about a specific issue up to three times, during the election period.

The last day letters to the editor will be accepted is Sunday, March 31. The final day letters will be published is April 2.

Letters to the editor, in support of a candidate including endorsements, will be allowed. The same deadline applies.

POSTS ON FRAMINGHAM.PATCH.COM:  Candidates (and their immediate family members) may comment on all articles and posts on the home page of Framingham Patch, up until a week before the election. Comments will be deleted, if posted after midnight on Tuesday, April 2.

CANDIDATE EVENTS: Candidates, their campaign members, and residents are invited to submit fundraiser and other campaign-related events. Maximum word count is 250 words. Deadline for submission is Sunday, March 31. The final day events will be published is Monday, April 1.

Any other election policy questions or issues can be directed to Framingham Patch Editor Susan Petroni at susan.petroni@patch.com or 508-202-5597