News & Updates
Committee updates, local political news, and election information
ELECTION ALERT
35 Signatures. The Select Board Said Yes.
March 24, 2026 | Yarmouth Select Board Meeting | Ballot Question 4
The Yarmouth Select Board voted 4-1 to place a non-binding “Equal Rights for Yarmouth Residents” question on the May 19 ballot. Only Tracy Post voted no.
The petition was filed under MGL c.53 §18A — a state law that requires only 35 signatures and four days’ public notice to force a non-binding question onto the ballot. That means 35 people — roughly 0.15% of the electorate — can put a political question in front of 22,842 registered voters with almost no public scrutiny.
“A binding question requires 2,265 signatures — 10% of registered voters. This petition needed 35. The Select Board had every right to reject it and demand real community support. Instead, four members handed 35 petitioners the same platform that should require the backing of thousands.”
Yarmouth’s own Town Administrator confirmed it. In a written response to the YRTC on March 20 — CC’d to every Select Board member — Robert Whritenour stated the petition “does appear to be directly related” to the sanctuary-style human rights resolution that was previously defeated. Same fight, different mechanism. Every board member knew before they voted.
The question’s vague “equal rights” language could serve as a stepping stone toward sanctuary-style policies — and passage sends a political signal that activists will use to push further policy changes in Yarmouth.
By the Numbers
35 signatures to place a non-binding question
2,265 signatures required for a binding question
22,842 registered voters in Yarmouth
4–1 Select Board vote to place it on the ballot
Read the full story: timeline, legal context, and full question text →
ACCOUNTABILITY
Your State Rep Is Indicted — Still on the Payroll
Updated March 2026 | First Barnstable District | Federal Criminal Case
State Representative Christopher Flanagan was arrested April 11, 2025 and indicted on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. He has refused to resign.
Governor Healey, MassGOP, and the selectmen of all three towns in his district have called for his resignation. He has ignored every one of them. Yarmouth, Barnstable, and Sandwich have been without effective state representation for nearly a year — while Flanagan continues to collect his $100,558 annual salary from Massachusetts taxpayers.
No legislation filed. No constituent services. No accountability.
“This is taxation without representation. You are paying his salary. He is not doing the job. And nobody has the power to remove him until the next election.”
The Cost of Inaction
$100,558 annual salary — still being paid
5 federal wire fraud counts
3 towns without representation
~1 year since arrest — has not resigned
0 bills filed or constituent services
May 19 Election
4 Ballot Questions — Know Before You Vote
The May 19 Annual Town Election includes four ballot questions: the DY Regional School override, Cape Cod Tech override, library debt exclusion, and a non-binding sanctuary city question. All four would increase your property taxes if approved.
Committee
YRTC Reorganizes Under New Leadership
The Yarmouth Republican Town Committee has elected new officers and is actively building membership ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month. All registered Republicans in Yarmouth are welcome.
Don’t Take Our Word for It
Watch the Select Board meetings. Read the ballot questions. Make up your own mind.