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Jericho keeps Australian‑ballot budget vote after 'Town Meeting reimagined' process; organizers seek feedback
Summary
After a year of adjustments, Jericho used a two‑stage 'Town Meeting reimagined' process that reviewed a draft budget in January and placed the final question on the Australian ballot; organizers said technology and acoustics improved but asked residents to complete feedback questionnaires to refine communication between the task force and select board.
Jericho voters used a second consecutive Australian‑ballot vote for the town budget after a reimagined two‑stage process that combined a public draft review meeting and a paper‑ballot final vote.
Organizers said the January draft review allowed residents to ask questions, propose changes and recommend edits before the ballot. At the meeting, the select board and a task force heard public input, some proposed amendments and a series of votes that shaped the final figure presented to voters on town meeting day.
Improvements and lessons learned: speakers said problems from the prior year — poor auditorium acoustics and awkward vote counting online — were addressed by moving the meeting to the library and updating voting systems. At the same time, several speakers said communications between the task force and the select board broke down near the end of the process, creating confusion about what would appear on the ballot.
Public feedback: organizers asked residents to complete questionnaires (available in print at town hall and via QR code) on what worked and what could be improved for next year.
Election logistics: election officials said voting by paper ballot runs 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and that justices of the peace, select board members and volunteers served as election officials. They reported 271 early ballot requests with 238 returned as of the night before town meeting day, and noted a 2024 state law led to new signage restricting guns at polling places during the early‑vote period.
Next steps: officials said they will compile feedback and work with the select board and task force to improve late‑stage communications before the next cycle.
