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Bill

H 4055

An Act relative to recall elections in the town of Lanesborough

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Barrett

H 4055 creates a recall election procedure allowing Lanesborough voters to remove elected officials mid-term through a special ballot process with specified voter requirements.

Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4055

Legislative bill overview

H 4055 establishes a recall election process for elected officials in the town of Lanesborough, Massachusetts. The bill creates a mechanism allowing voters to remove town officials before the end of their terms through a special election, subject to specified procedural requirements and voter threshold standards.

Why is this important

Recall elections are a form of direct democracy that can increase accountability for local officials and respond to constituent dissatisfaction without waiting for regular election cycles. For Lanesborough specifically, this represents a significant shift in local governance structure, as most Massachusetts municipalities do not have recall provisions.

Potential points of contention

  • Signature thresholds and timelines: The specific number of signatures required to trigger a recall and the timeframe allowed for gathering them will significantly impact how easily recalls can be initiated—too low risks frivolous recalls, too high may render the mechanism impractical
  • Grounds for recall: Whether the bill allows recalls "for any reason" or requires "cause" (such as malfeasance or dereliction of duty) will determine whether this is a broad accountability tool or a more limited one
  • Cost and frequency concerns: Frequent recall elections could burden municipal budgets and create administrative disruptions; opponents may argue this destabilizes local government

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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