Vote Yes for Reading - November 3, 2026 Operational Override Campaign
Supporting the $6.5 million operational override to invest in Reading's schools, protect essential municipal services, and secure our town's future.
Why an Operational Override?
Understanding the ballot question placed before Reading voters for the November 2026 election.
On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the Reading Select Board voted to place an operational override of $6.5 million on the state election ballot, held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. If approved, the override would take effect for Fiscal Year 2028 (which begins on July 1, 2027).
Strong Schools
Ensures our schools maintain reasonable class sizes, competitive compensation to retain talented educators, modern curricula, and comprehensive support services for all learners.
Strong Community
Maintains town services that Reading residents depend upon daily, including emergency response, library access, public works, road repairs, and community spaces.
Bright Futures
Invests in sustainable town governance and fiscal stability, ensuring that Reading continues to be an attractive, vibrant place for families, seniors, and businesses to thrive.
Protecting Reading's Town & School Services
An operational override provides the essential municipal revenue needed to maintain current levels of town services, public safety, and student programming in our schools without severe budget cuts.
In Our Schools
Maintains manageable class sizes, protects elective offerings, supports mental health and special education staff, and funds vital classroom instructional materials.
In Our Town Services
Sustains library hours, DPW maintenance for our roads and parks, senior center programming, and essential public safety and emergency staffing.
For Reading's Future
Prevents compounding municipal deficits and provides dependable fiscal predictability for Town and School operations through Fiscal Year 2028 and beyond.
Want to learn more?
The Town of Reading website has great resources on their webpage. Check it out.
Official Town of Reading Information
Official town presentations, municipal budget documents, Select Board minutes, and informational materials regarding the November 3, 2026 operational override are maintained and publicly available directly on the Town of Reading website.
Municipal & School Budgets
Review current operational line items, structural deficits, and projected funding shortfalls across Reading town departments and public schools.
Explore Town Budgets →Select Board Deliberations
Access the meeting agendas, staff presentations, and official vote records from the Reading Select Board meetings leading up to the override ballot vote.
Watch & Read Hearings →Voting & Ballot Logistics
Verify your voter registration status, locate your Reading precinct polling station, and learn about early or absentee mail-in ballot options for November 3, 2026.
Reading Town Clerk Voting Info →Want to volunteer?
Host a yard sign, hold signs, drop flyers, and more. Local grassroots campaigns succeed when neighbors talk to neighbors.
Ways You Can Help Vote Yes for Reading
Select any opportunities that fit your schedule when you complete the volunteer form:
Host a Yard Sign
Display a "Vote Yes for Reading" yard sign at your home to show community visibility and neighborhood support.
Hold Signs in Reading
Join friendly sign-holding at school drop-offs, afternoon pick-ups, on the Town Common, or near the Reading train station. A schedule of dates and times will be sent out soon.
Drop Flyers on Doorsteps
Deliver informational door-hangers and flyers directly to your neighbors and street blocks in Reading.
Share an Endorsement Statement
Write a brief 1–3 sentence quote explaining why you are voting YES. We feature community voices in our social media graphics and voter outreach.
Direct Voter Contact
Help reach fellow Reading voters through phone banking, peer-to-peer texting, and door-to-door neighborhood canvassing.
Want to donate?
We need funds to pay for yard signs and flyers.
Invest in Our Community's Future
Local ballot campaigns are funded entirely by neighbors and community supporters. Your contribution allows us to purchase lawn signs, print informational door flyers, and ensure every voter in Reading has the facts before November 3, 2026.
Online donations are securely processed externally via our campaign fundraising platform.
Directly covers the manufacturing and distribution of campaign yard signs across Reading neighborhoods.
Funds print materials and informational handouts delivered to every registered voter's home.
Supports town hall information sessions, public signs, and neighborhood voter contact efforts.
Notice: Political contributions are not tax-deductible for federal or state income tax purposes. Contributions are subject to Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) regulations.