Politics & Government
Petitions for Westport RTM Candidates Available
There is one week left for Westport residents to petition to run for a seat as a member of the Representative Town Meeting, (RTM), the town's 36-member legislative body.
“The process is rather simple,” Westport Town Clerk Patricia Strauss said, according to a press release from the selectman's office.
“Residents interested in running for the RTM can pick up a petition at the town clerks office. After gathering 25 signatures of registered voters in the petitioner’s district, return the petition to the town clerk by Tuesday, Sept 13. Staff in the clerks office will review the instructions with the petitioner.
Currently, 15 people have shown interest in running as a petitioning candidate; however, only two petitions have been returned. Currently, 27 incumbents are running for the of 36 positions.
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If all 15 petitions are returned, only four of the nine RTM districts will be contested, Districts 2, 3, 6 and 9. Four RTM districts will have no contest, Districts 1, 4, 5 and 7. District 8, will be short with one vacancy.
Hadley Rose, RTM moderator agreed with Strauss.
Find out what's happening in Westportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“I’d like to see more competitive races,” Rose said. “There’s nothing wrong with having contested races in every district. I encourage residents to get involved with the non-partisan RTM.”
A list of petitioning candidates and incumbents is posted outside the Town Clerk’s office,
This year’s election is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
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