05/05/2026
North Branford’s Budget Referendum will be held on May 12th from 12:00–8:00 PM. Voting will take place at your regular polling location.
No matter how you feel about the budget, this is one of those moments where local voices really matter. It’s important that you take the opportunity to make your voice heard.
If you’re not familiar with how the referendum works, voters will have the option to either accept the budget or reject it (whether you feel it is too high or too low). For the results to be considered by the Town Council, at least 15% of qualified voters must participate. If the budget is rejected, it goes back to the Town Council for adjustments and will be adopted by June 1st—it does not go back out for a second referendum.
Here’s something to think about: looking back over the past 20 years, voter turnout has exceeded 15% in only two years. That raises an important question—why aren’t more people voting?
Part of the reason may be that the process isn’t always well understood. Another common misconception is that if you support the budget, you don’t need to vote—but that’s simply not true. Every vote matters.
Without broader participation, a relatively small number of people end up making decisions that affect the entire town.
Take some time to review the budget, watch the workshops, and decide where you stand. Then, if you’re able, please get out and vote.