How to Run for Office and Town Meeting 2026
Guide
Nomination papers for candidates running for Town Offices and Town Meeting Members will be available in the Town Clerk’s Office beginning January 2, 2026, for the Annual Town Election to be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
Town Offices
Candidates for Town Office must obtain at least 50 valid signatures of registered voters town wide. The last day to file nomination papers is Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
Who Is Running?
You can see who is running for town offices and Town Meeting on the Town Clerk’s website. The information is updated daily and reflects who has qualified for the ballot, who has taken out papers, and who is certified. Many thanks to Town Clerk Louise Miller for making this information easily accessible.
See the Updated Candidate List.
The following slate of offices will be on the April ballot:
- 2 Select Board Members for a term of 3 years
- 2 School Committee Members for a term of 3 years
- 2 Constables for a term of 3 years
- 1 Park and Recreation Commissioner for a term of 3 years
- 1 Assessor for a term of 3 years
- 1 Commissioner of Trust Funds for a term of 3 years
- 3 Needham Public Library Trustees for a term of 3 years
- 1 Memorial Park Trustee (Veteran) for a term of 3 years
- 1 Board of Health Member for a term of 3 years
- 1 Planning Board Member for a term of 5 years
- 1 Needham Housing Authority Commissioner for a term of 2 years
Town Meeting
New Town Meeting Member candidates must obtain at least 10 valid signatures of registered voters in their precinct. The last day for new Town Meeting Member candidates to file nomination papers is Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 5pm. Incumbent Town Meeting Members must return the acceptance form (which they will receive by email) to the Town Clerk’s Office by Tuesday, February 17.
The following Town Meeting Member positions will be on the ballot:
Eight Town Meeting Members from Precinct A for Three Years
One Town Meeting Members from Precinct A for One Year
Eight Town Meeting Members from Precinct B for Three Years
One Town Meeting Member from Precinct B for Two Years
Eight Town Meeting Members from Precinct C for Three Years
Eight Town Meeting Members from Precinct D for Three Years
Eight Town Meeting Members from Precinct E for Three Years
Eight Town Meeting Members from Precinct F for Three Years
Eight Town Meeting Members from Precinct G for Three Years
One Town Meeting Member from Precinct G for One Year
Eight Town Meeting Members from Precinct H for Three Years
Eight Town Meeting Members from Precinct I for Three Years
One Town Meeting Member from Precinct I for One Year
Eight Town Meeting Members from Precinct J for Three Years.
Candidates for re‑election will be listed on the ballot first, in alphabetical order, followed by new candidates in alphabetical order. For information call the Town Clerk’s Office at 781-455‑7500 ext. 503.
Note that the seats available may change prior to the close of the nomination period (Feb 24). The Town Clerk has the discretion to add seats to the ballot.
There could be one or more local ballot questions on the ballot.
Note the links in the embedded pdf below will only function if the file is downloaded.