Unofficial election results show proposed $6.5 million operational override defeated by 1,290 votes, while CPA passes by 377 votes
Reading, MA– Reading voters rejected the proposed Proposition 2½ operational override but narrowly approved the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in Tuesday’s November 3 State Election, according to unofficial results released by the Town of Reading.
A total of 13,234 ballots were cast, representing approximately 63% of Reading’s 21,008 registered voters.
The two local ballot questions produced contrasting results: voters rejected additional funding for town operations but supported creating a dedicated funding source for community preservation projects.
Proposition 2½ Override Defeated
Reading voters rejected Question 10, the proposed $6.5 million Proposition 2½ operational override, by a vote of 7,061 to 5,771.
Voters defeated the measure by 1,290 votes, with about 55% opposing the override.
The proposed override would have increased the town’s property tax levy limit to provide additional funding for municipal and school operations beginning in fiscal year 2028.
Community Preservation Act Approved
In contrast, Reading voters approved Question 11, authorizing the town to adopt the Community Preservation Act.
The measure passed with 5,924 votes in favor and 5,547 opposed, a margin of 377 votes.
Approximately 51.6% of voters supported the measure, while 48.4% voted against it.
The Community Preservation Act allows participating municipalities to establish a dedicated local fund for four eligible purposes: historic preservation, affordable housing, open space protection, and outdoor recreation.
With voter approval, Reading can move forward with implementing the CPA and establishing the local funding mechanism and procedures for considering eligible community preservation projects.
The close vote demonstrates a relatively narrow margin of support for the new program.
Candidate Results
In the congressional race, Dan Koh received 8,110 votes for the Sixth Congressional District seat covering Reading.
In the race for the Fifth Middlesex State Senate seat, Kate Lipper-Garabedian received 8,743 votes.
In the two state representative districts covering Reading, Joseph Markey received 2,907 votes in the 20th Middlesex District, while Richard M. Haggerty received 5,566 votes in the 30th Middlesex District.
In statewide races, Reading voters cast 7,948 votes for Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, 8,108 for U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey, 7,942 for Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, 8,981 for Secretary of State William Francis Galvin, 7,908 for Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, and 9,758 for Auditor Diana DiZoglio.
Unofficial Results
The results reflect votes cast in Reading across all eight precincts. The Town Clerk’s report identifies the totals as unofficial pending final certification.
While the defeat of the override means the town will need to plan future budgets without the proposed additional revenue, approval of the Community Preservation Act establishes a new opportunity for Reading to fund eligible historic preservation, affordable housing, open space and recreation projects.
