How to Propose a Warrant to a Town for a Vote
- 1). Do your research, and gain a feel for the social and political climate of your town. Typically, items are added to the warrant because they involve a pressing need, or an issue that has concerned the town for some time and needs resolution.
- 2). Contact your selectman about adding your proposal to the warrant; in most cases, he will welcome public input. Keep in mind, however, that the selectman can also refuse to add the item. In certain municipalities, certain provisions exist that will allow citizens to sidestep this official veto power, if a town petition is signed and distributed, or if a town committee otherwise proposes one. Selectmen can amend the warrant up until the day it's posted, so don't worry about proposing an item if the day of the meeting is drawing near.
- 3). Attend the meeting and ask to be recognized during the time allotted for townspeople to bring forth their own proposals for a vote. In most cases, this proposal should somehow correlate with an item on the warrant, or it may get rejected. However, more often than not, your proposal will be valid as long as it doesn't mandate a financial or contractual response from the city.