Section 15: Moderators; powers and duties
Section 15. The moderator shall preside and regulate the proceedings, decide all questions of order, and make public declaration of all votes, and may administer in open meeting the oath of office to any town officer chosen thereat. If a vote so declared is immediately questioned by seven or more voters, he shall verify it by polling the voters or by dividing the meeting unless the town has by a previous order or by-law provided another method. If a two thirds, four fifths or nine tenths vote of a town meeting is required by statute, the count shall be taken, and the vote shall be recorded in the records by the clerk; provided, however, that a town may decide by by-law or vote not to take a count and record the vote if a two-thirds vote of a town meeting is required by statute; and provided, further, that if the vote is unanimous, a count need not be taken, and the clerk shall record the vote as unanimous.
A town may pass by-laws, subject to this section, for the regulation of the proceedings at town meetings. Such by-laws shall be approved and published in the manner prescribed by section thirty-two of chapter forty.
In any town having a representative town meeting form of government the town meeting members shall not use the secret ballot when voting in the exercise of the corporate powers of said town or on any motion unless two thirds of the town meeting members present and voting thereon vote that a secret ballot be used.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Now why would our Town Moderator tell me we/voters in the Town of Templeton had to pass a bylaw to allow a secret ballot be used ? It sure sounds like any person could make a motion to use a secret ballot, have someone second the motion, then have the vote. If 2/3's of the voters say yes, you are good to go. I think sensitive issues need this secret vote. Too many people are harassed by their neighbors for the way they vote in a public meeting. Thank you Mr. Bennett for this valuable information.
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