A citizen petition is a way for a resident to put something on the Town Meeting Warrant if it is not addressed through the budget or other articles.
New Hampshire RSA 39:3 requires that petition articles must have at least 25 signatures of registered voters in the Town of Goffstown to be included on the ballot. All names and signatures will be reviewed by the Supervisors of the Checklist to verify that signers are registered voters in the Town of Goffstown. The deadline for petition warrant articles with the signatures of 25 Town of Goffstown registered voters, is the close of business (4:00 p.m.) Tuesday, January 14, 2025 [per RSA 40:13 II-a (b)].
- Proponents of a petition article are encouraged to secure more signatures than necessary, in the event the signatures are disqualified for any reason (i.e. non-registered voter, ineligible signature, etc.). The Town encourages petitioners to consult with an attorney to ensure the wording is in proper form to be considered by Town Meeting.
- For questions and assistance, contact the Town Administrator’s office at (603) 497-8990, or e-mail Derek.Horne@GoffstownNH.gov.
Dates to Remember:
- January 10, 2025 (Friday) – Deadline to submit Citizen Petition to include an article in the warrant proposing a bond governed by RSA 33:8-a. [RSA 40:13, II-a(b)]
- January 14, 2025 (Tuesday) – Deadline to submit Citizen Petition with at least 25 signatures of registered voters from the Town of Goffstown.
- Signatures will be reviewed by the Supervisors of the Checklist to verify the signers are registered voters of Goffstown.
- Must be submitted with signatures by 4:00 p.m. to the Administration office at Goffstown Town Hall (16 Main Street, Goffstown, NH). DO NOT USE TOWN HALL DROP BOX
- January 14, 2025 (Tuesday)– Budget Committee’s public hearing on the Town’s budget and any appropriation warrant articles.
- 6:00 p.m. Heiber Theater, Goffstown High School, 27 Wallace Road, Goffstown, NH.
- February 4, 2025 (Tuesday)– Town’s Deliberative Session
- 7:00 p.m. Heiber Theater, Goffstown High School, 27 Wallace Road, Goffstown, NH.
- Snow Date February 6, 2025 (same time/location)
- March 11, 2025 (Tuesday)– Ballot Voting for Registered Voters
- Ballot Voting will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- District 1 – Goffstown High School, 27 Wallace Road, Goffstown, NH
- District 5 – Bartlett Elementary School, 689 Mast Road, Goffstown, NH
Please note that at least one petitioner should attend the budget hearing and Deliberative Session. This will allow the petitioner to answer any questions that may be asked on the petition article and speak on behalf of the petition article.
If you have any questions regarding the process, please reach out to the Town Administrator’s office and they will be happy to assist you.
Public Notice - Information regarding submitting a Citizen Petition Warrant Article