The Massachusetts constitution gives citizens a way to change how their community is run called the Home Rule Charter process. This process takes several years and requires citizen action, public discussion, and a final vote by the people on a new proposal for what the government should look like. It’s the way to make sure that any big changes to Brookline’s government come from the community, get studied carefully, and then happen only if the voters approve.
PHASE 1:
Starting a Charter Commission
(Brookline is in Step 1 of this phase)
Step 1: Collecting Signatures for a Charter Commission Ballot Question
- 📝 Goal: Get signatures from 15% of Brookline’s registered voters.
- 📌 Purpose: Ask for a Charter Commission question on Brookline’s May ballot.
- ⏳ Timing: No deadline; signatures must be certified by the Town Clerk as currently registered voters when submitted.
Step 2: Voting on the Charter Commission Question
- 🗳️ Ballot Question: “Should a Charter Commission be elected to form [write] a charter for Brookline?”
- 🏛️ Election of Commissioners: On the same ballot, voters pick 9 Charter Commission members (elected at-large like the Select Board & School Committee).
- ✅ Outcome: If voters say Yes to the question, the elected Charter Commission has up to 18 months to study the issues and create a detailed charter proposal.
PHASE 2:
Creating a Charter Proposal
The Charter Commission
- ⏳ Timeframe: 18 months after the commission is elected and starts its work.
- 🔍 Charter Commission Process:
- 📖 Study different ways of running the town.
- 🗣️ Get input from the community and hold public discussions.
- ✍️ Within 16 months, write a detailed charter proposal for improved government.
- 🚀 Final Step: Submit the proposal to the community for voters to decide in the next election.
PHASE 3:
Public Debate & Final Vote
Voters Decide on the Charter Proposal
- 🏛️ Discussion Period: The public learns about and discusses the details of the proposal before voting.
- 🗳️ Election: Voters choose whether to approve or reject the charter proposal.
If the Charter Proposal is Rejected: No change; the current Town form of government remains.
If the Charter Proposal is Approved:
🔄 Transition Period Begins:
🤝📋 The town plans for any changes in the new charter.
🗳️ IF the government structure changes to a city, a special fall election is held for new positions.
🏛️ The new government starts in January after the special election.
* Hypothetical Timeline of a Charter Commission ballot question in May 2026: A Charter Commission could yield a proposal for a new charter as early as March 2027 (potentially in time for vote in May 2027) or as late as November 2027, with the new charter proposal on the May 2028 ballot. IF a city form of government is proposed and approved by voters, the transition to that new structure would take effect in January following the charter’s approval. If voters reject the proposal, no changes are made to the form or function of government.