[Amended referendum 11-4-2008, effective 12-4-2008]
(a) 
A meeting of the registered voters of the Town of Guilford, hereinafter called "the regular town election", shall take place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in odd numbered years, during such hours as may be provided by, and in accordance with all other pertinent provisions of, the Connecticut General Statutes. Special town elections may be called and held in accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes.
(b) 
The regular term of office of the Board of Selectmen shall commence on the first Monday of December following the regular town election. Members of the Board of Education and the Board of Finance shall take office on the date of their election and qualification. The members of the Board of Assessment Appeals shall take office on the seventh day following the regular town election which elects them to office. All elective officers shall continue in office until their successors have been chosen and have qualified. Effective upon the conclusion of the term of office of the Town Treasurer elected in the election of November 6, 2007, the office of the Town Treasurer shall no longer be an elective office. The Finance Director (Fiscal Officer) shall thereafter have all the powers and duties conferred or imposed on town treasurers by the Connecticut General Statutes and by this charter and shall hold office in accordance with the provisions of Section 5-6.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This amendment goes into effect 11-22-2011.
[Amended referendum 11-4-2008, effective 12-4-2008]
There shall continue to be five voting districts in the town as they existed on the effective date of this charter, until otherwise provided by ordinance.
No person who is not at the time of his or her election a registered voter and resident of the town shall be eligible for election to any town office, and any person ceasing to be a registered voter or resident of the town shall thereupon cease to hold elective office in the town, and the office shall be deemed vacant.
The number of members of any one political party who may be elected to or serve on any elected board or commission shall not exceed a bare majority of the whole membership of those boards.
(a) 
When a person vacating a seat on an elective board or commission was elected as a member of a political party, the vacancy shall, if practicable, be filled by a member or designee of the same political party.
(b) 
Vacancies on the Board of Selectmen shall be filled in the manner prescribed by the Connecticut General Statutes.
[Amended referendum 11-4-2008, effective 12-4-2008]
(c) 
A vacancy occurring on the Board of Education or the Board of Finance shall be filled within sixty days by vote of the remaining members, but if not so filled, shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Selectmen within thirty additional days.
(d) 
Subject to the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes and the limitations of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the Board of Selectmen shall, by appointment, fill a vacancy in any elective town office within sixty days after the occurrence.
[Amended referendum 11-8-2005, effective 12-8-2005; referendum 11-4-2008, effective 12-4-2008]
(e) 
An appointee to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term or until a successor is elected at a special election called by petition in accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes and qualifies. A person elected to fill an unexpired term shall serve for the remainder thereof.
[Amended referendum 11-4-2008, effective 12-4-2008]
[Amended referendum 11-8-2005, effective 12-8-2005; referendum 11-4-2008, effective 12-4-2008]
(a) 
Board of Selectmen
At each regular town election there shall be elected a Board of Selectmen consisting of the First Selectman and four Selectmen. The votes cast for the unsuccessful candidate for First Selectman shall be counted as votes for him or her as a member of such board. These officers shall serve terms of four years and shall have the powers and duties prescribed for their offices by the Connecticut General Statutes and by this charter.
(b) 
Treasurer
The elected Town Treasurer in office on the date of adoption of this Charter shall continue to hold office for the term for which he was elected, during such time shall continue as agent of the town deposit fund and shall have the powers and duties prescribed by the General Statutes and by this charter. Effective upon the conclusion of the term of office of the Town Treasurer elected in the election of November 6, 2007, the office of the Town Treasurer shall no longer be a separate office of the town, elective or appointive. The Finance Director (Fiscal Officer) shall thereafter have all the powers and duties conferred or imposed on town treasurers by the Connecticut General Statutes, by this charter or any other law and shall hold office in accordance with the provisions of Section 5-6.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This amendment goes into effect 11-22-2011.
(c) 
Board of Education
The registered voters shall elect a Board of Education of nine members for terms of four years. At each regular town election there shall be elected a sufficient number of members to such board to maintain its number at nine. The Board of Education shall have the powers and duties of boards of education prescribed by the Connecticut General Statutes.
(d) 
Board of Assessment Appeals
The registered voters shall elect a Board of Assessment Appeals of three members for terms of four years with the power and duties of Boards of Assessment Appeals prescribed by the Connecticut General Statutes.
(e) 
Board of Finance
The registered voters shall elect a Board of Finance of seven members for terms of four years. At each regular town election there shall be elected a sufficient number of members to such a board to maintain its number at seven. The Board of Finance shall have the powers and duties prescribed by the Connecticut General Statutes and as provided in this charter.
(f) 
At the state election of 2002, and quadrennially thereafter, there shall be elected two Registrars of Voters in accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes, to serve four-year terms.
(g) 
Justices of the Peace may be chosen in accordance with any applicable Connecticut General Statutes.
[Amended referendum 11-4-2008, effective 12-4-2008]
In accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes, at any election any political party may nominate for the Board of Education and for the Board of Finance a number of members equal to the number to be elected to that board. The registered voters may vote for the number to be elected, but the maximum number elected from any political party shall not exceed the number required to constitute a bare majority of the entire board.