Published February 7, 2019

Now that election season is in full swing we would like to set a few ground rules for the run-up to the May 7 annual town election.

All potential candidates considering a run for elective office need to be mindful of submitting their nomination papers for certification by the Town Clerk’s office by Tuesday, March 19 at 5 p.m.

Once certified and ensured a spot on the town’s election ballot, office hopefuls will be allowed to submit one biographical piece about themselves, along with a photograph and their reasons for seeking elective office, which we call a candidate’s statement. It can be of any length you deem necessary; but if we feel it’s too long, we will edit it for space. In other words, try not to ramble on about how good you are.

All candidates may also submit one letter to our Letters to the Editor forum if you want to speak out further about your position on various issues facing the town.

Supporters of candidates may also submit Letters to the Editor. While we will not put any limits on the number of support letters per candidate, we will limit each author to one letter of support per candidate being endorsed. The broader your base, the more likely you are to find fellow voters willing to endorse you in writing.

We also ask that you keep the tone of the letters civil. We have enough of the other type of discourse flowing through the halls of power in Washington to last us a lifetime.

All letters and candidate statements can be submitted to the Transcript either by email at NRTranscript@RCN.com or U.S. Mail (26 Albion St., Wakefield, MA 01880). Electronic word documents are preferred to prevent the need to retype your work.

To ensure we treat everyone fairly, Friday, April 26 is the deadline for submitting letters to be published in our last edition prior to the town election.

Thank you for understanding and good luck to all those candidates willing to get involved in a campaign to serve our community.