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Commission approves Chapman council‑size question and Williams Township EIT referendum for November ballot
Summary
The Northampton County Election Commission voted to place Chapman Borough's council‑size referendum and Williams Township's earned‑income‑tax (EIT) referendum on the November ballot and approved plain‑English summaries. Dan abstained from the Williams Township vote.
The Northampton County Election Commission voted to place two local referendum questions on the Nov. 4 ballot and approved the plain‑English language that will appear at polling places.
Chapman Borough: the commission placed Chapman Borough’s ordinance question on the ballot asking whether to reduce the borough council from seven members to five. The registrar read a proposed plain‑English summary: “The ballot question asks the voters of Chapman Borough to reduce the size of the borough council from 7 members to 5 members. A vote of yes would reduce the size of the borough council to 5 members. A vote of no would keep the size of the borough council at 7 members.” A motion to place the question on the ballot and to approve the revised plain‑English version passed unanimously.
Williams Township EIT: the commission placed Williams Township’s referendum on the ballot asking whether voters favor an additional 0.25% earned‑income tax imposed by Williams Township for specified open‑space acquisition and associated expenses. The solicitor explained that the township’s attorney drafted a detailed plain‑English version and recommended approval to ensure voters understand how the revenue may be used. A motion to place the Williams Township question on the ballot and to approve the plain‑English version carried; Commissioner Dan abstained.
Why it matters: both actions are ministerial duties of the commission when a municipality submits a valid ordinance or referendum question; approving the plain‑English summary ensures polling‑place materials tell voters the effect of a yes or no vote. The Williams Township summary included detailed spending authority language, including that up to 25% of annual revenue may be used for development, improvement, design, engineering, or maintenance of property acquired in fee simple, language the solicitor said is important for taxpayer clarity.
Ending: the commission recorded the votes and will place the two questions on the official November ballot, using the approved plain‑English summaries at polling places.
