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Marblehead's Prop 2½ voting record

Since 1988, Marblehead has voted on 70 Proposition 2½ questions: operating overrides and debt exclusions. Here is every one, with the dollar amount, the department, and the vote count.

What is an override vs. a debt exclusion?

Operating override permanently raises the tax levy ceiling. The added capacity stays in the base forever.

Debt exclusion temporarily raises the levy ceiling for the life of a specific bond. When the bond is paid off, that capacity drops back out.

70
Ballot Questions
$371.9M
Approved (inflation-adj.)
49/50
Debt Exclusion Pass Rate
6/20
Override Pass Rate

Every vote, 1988–2025

Operating overrides 6 of 19 Debt exclusions 49 of 50 FY2027 vote Jun 9 Last approved override Only debt exclusion rejected 1982 1990 2000 2010 2020 2026
Approved at the ballot
Rejected at the ballot

Each dot is one ballot question. Filled dots were approved; hollow dots were rejected. Hover or tap any dot for details.

Detail by year

June 2025 2 questions 1 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Override General Government Fix Clerk Error (Administrative correction; no ballot vote held) — 0 0 — MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Debt Exclusion General Government Mary Alley Building Improvement & Hvac — 4,088 1,857 +37.5% unsourced
June 2023 1 question 0 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Override General Government General Government Operating Budget $2.5M 2,996 3,414 -6.5% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
June 2022 2 questions 1 passed $11.7M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Override School School Department Operating Budget $3.3M 1,802 3,929 -37.1% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Debt Exclusion General Government Roof Replacements, Road & Sidewalk Improvements, Smart Panels, Hvac, Salt Shed, Hs Boiler $11.7M 3,347 2,178 +21.2% FY23 ACFR p.60, Bond Authorizations
June 2021 2 questions 2 passed $10.7M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion Culture & Recreation Renovation Of Abbot Public Library $9.8M 3,021 1,346 +38.4% FY21 ACFR p.64, Bond Authorizations
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Safety New Fire Pumper Truck $868K 3,418 894 +58.5% FY21 ACFR p.64, Bond Authorizations
June 2019 2 questions 2 passed $68.2M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion School Bonds For New Gerry School $67.3M 3,440 1,976 +27.0% FY19 ACFR p.7, MD&A
Passed Debt Exclusion General Government Bonds For Repairs To Fort Sewall $920K 4,492 903 +66.5% FY19 ACFR p.7, MD&A
June 2018 1 question 1 passed $1.1M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Costs Of Constructing And Reconstructing Seawalls And Fences $1.1M 1,555 326 +65.3% FY18 ACFR p.8, MD&A
June 2016 2 questions 2 passed $1.8M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion School Bonds For Study, Renovation And Recon Of Elbridge Gerry School $980K 2,176 875 +42.6% FY16 ACFR p.8, MD&A
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Safety Bonds For A Pumper Truck For The Fire Dept $810K 2,403 628 +58.6% FY16 ACFR p.8, MD&A
June 2015 1 question 1 passed $10.6M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Bonds To Pay For Repair And Replacement Of Drainage Pipe And Construction Of New Xfer Station $10.6M 1,934 666 +48.8% FY15 ACFR p.8, MD&A
June 2013 2 questions 2 passed $4.9M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Green Street Remediation $1.6M 3,186 2,235 +17.5% FY13 ACFR p.67, Bond Authorizations
Passed Debt Exclusion General Government Abbot Hall Tower Repairs $3.3M 3,888 1,617 +41.3% FY13 ACFR p.67, Bond Authorizations
June 2012 4 questions 4 passed $11.2M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Safety Quint Fire Truck $1.6M 1,905 1,542 +10.5% FY12 ACFR p.8, MD&A
Passed Debt Exclusion General Government Old Town House Accessibility Project $834K 1,990 1,475 +14.9% FY12 ACFR p.8, MD&A
Passed Debt Exclusion General Government Lead Mills Land Acquisition $2.0M 2,263 1,216 +30.1% FY12 ACFR p.8, MD&A
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Pleasant Street Area Drainage Project $6.7M 2,394 1,067 +38.3% FY12 ACFR p.8, MD&A
June 2011 3 questions 2 passed $60.8M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Override General Government Final Design, Public Bidding And Construction For Improvements To The Old Town House $931K 2,531 3,567 -17.0% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Debt Exclusion School Funding The Design, Project Management And Construction Of A New Elementary School $35.5M 3,394 2,753 +10.4% FY11 ACFR p.7, MD&A
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Funding The Permitting, Public Bidding And Construction Of A Cap For The Encompassing The Old Landfill, Etc $25.4M 3,416 2,681 +12.1% FY11 ACFR p.7, MD&A
June 2008 2 questions 2 passed $32.2M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion School Feasibility Study For The Glover School Project $576K 2,365 1,311 +28.7% FY08 ACFR p.9, MD&A
Passed Debt Exclusion School Village School Project -Reconstruction $31.6M 2,464 1,213 +34.0% FY08 ACFR p.9, MD&A
June 2007 2 questions 2 passed $14.7M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Construct, Reconstruct Ocean Ave Causewayl $13.2M 1,565 1,061 +19.2% FY07 ACFR p.9, MD&A
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Landfill Cap, Transfer Station, Drop Off $1.5M 1,747 864 +33.8% FY07 ACFR p.9, MD&A
June 2005 3 questions 3 passed $8.9M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Override General Government Supplemental Expenses Of Several Town Departments $4.4M 3,869 3,456 +5.6% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Debt Exclusion General Government Purchase Equipment For Several Town Departments $1.3M 4,384 2,778 +22.4% FY05 ACFR p.8, MD&A
Passed Debt Exclusion General Government Purchase 3 Certain Parcels Of Land Owned By Robinson Farm Realty Trust $3.3M 4,937 2,315 +36.2% FY05 ACFR p.8, MD&A
June 2004 7 questions 4 passed $1.5M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Override Public Safety Cruiser For Police Dept.-Van For Dog Officer-Front End Loader And Backlhoe For Waste Coll. Dept. $801K 2,419 2,661 -4.8% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Override School Supplemental Expenses For School Department $701K 2,857 2,289 +11.0% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Failed Override Public Safety Supplemental Expenses Of Police Department $220K 2,288 2,758 -9.3% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Override Public Works & Facilities Supplemental Expenses For Waste Collection $28K 2,849 2,240 +12.0% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Failed Override General Government General Operating Expenditures $91K 1,639 3,384 -34.7% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Override Culture & Recreation Library Expenses $121K 2,775 2,323 +8.9% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Safety Purchase Fire Pumper Truck $689K 2,931 2,133 +15.8% FY04 ACFR p.8, MD&A
June 2003 1 question 1 passed $2.4M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Override General Government Supplemental Budget Expenses $2.4M 3,936 2,350 +25.2% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
June 2002 1 question 0 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Debt Exclusion Culture & Recreation Bonds Issued For Remodeling, Reconstruction And Making Repairs To Tucker's Wharf — 1,049 1,185 -6.1% unsourced
June 2001 3 questions 3 passed $41.6M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Override Public Works & Facilities Construction Of Sewers And Surface Drains $531K 3,016 1,482 +34.1% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Debt Exclusion School Plans For Conversion Of Schools $1.1M 2,916 1,639 +28.0% FY04 ACFR p.54, Bond Authorizations
Passed Debt Exclusion School Bonds Issued To Plan, Remodel, Reconstruct Additions To Existing High School And Convert To Middle School $40.0M 2,849 1,434 +33.0% FY04 ACFR p.54, Bond Authorizations
June 2000 2 questions 1 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Override General Government Improvements At The Old Town House $271K 833 1,150 -16.0% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Repairs To Existing Drainage Infrastruction — 1,361 635 +36.4% unsourced
June 1999 1 question 1 passed $79.3M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion School Const.Equip-Furnish New High School $79.3M 4,659 2,976 +22.0% FY04 ACFR p.54, Bond Authorizations
June 1998 2 questions 2 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion School Repairs To Several Schools — 2,569 1,267 +33.9% unsourced
Passed Debt Exclusion School Computers And Software For School Dept. — 2,323 1,503 +21.4% unsourced
June 1997 1 question 1 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion School Remodeling Of Several Town Schools — 1,797 1,702 +2.7% unsourced
June 1996 5 questions 4 passed $2.7M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Override School School Department Expenses $1.7M 2,737 3,376 -10.5% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Surface Drain Construction $1.8M 3,666 2,363 +21.6% FY04 ACFR p.53, bond schedule match
Passed Debt Exclusion School Computer Equipment For School Dept. — 3,394 2,671 +11.9% unsourced
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Safety Equipment For Fire Department $900K 3,454 2,594 +14.2% FY04 ACFR p.53, bond schedule match
Passed Debt Exclusion School Repair-Construct-Equip School Bldgs. — 3,538 2,530 +16.6% unsourced
June 1995 6 questions 5 passed $7.5M approved
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Override School School Department Salaries $718K 2,473 2,553 -1.6% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Debt Exclusion School Repairs To Schools — 3,237 1,785 +28.9% unsourced
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Safety Repairs To Police And Inspectors Build. $1.2M 2,946 2,064 +17.6% FY04 ACFR p.53, bond schedule match
Passed Debt Exclusion Health & Human Services Const. Building For Council On Aging $4.9M 2,994 2,032 +19.1% FY04 ACFR p.53, bond schedule match
Passed Debt Exclusion School Computers For School Department — 3,028 1,973 +21.1% unsourced
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Surface Storm Drains $1.3M 3,386 1,607 +35.6% FY04 ACFR p.53, bond schedule match
June 1994 2 questions 2 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Surface-Drains Construction — 1,058 506 +35.3% unsourced
Passed Debt Exclusion School School Renovation — 993 575 +26.7% unsourced
June 1992 1 question 1 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion School School Renovations — 2,481 1,631 +20.7% unsourced
June 1991 3 questions 0 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Override General Government General Operating Expenseds $1.3M 1,629 2,598 -22.9% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Failed Override General Government Funding Salaries For Town Clerks Office $36K 564 935 -24.7% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Failed Override Health & Human Services Funding Meals On Wheels $1K 716 782 -4.4% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
June 1990 4 questions 3 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Failed Override General Government General Operating Budget $2.4M 2,664 4,539 -26.0% MA DOR Proposition 2½ Override/U...
Passed Debt Exclusion School Remodel/Repair Mid.Sch Heat System — 3,904 3,241 +9.3% unsourced
Passed Debt Exclusion School Remodel/Repair H Sch Sci Labs — 3,593 1,404 +43.8% unsourced
Passed Debt Exclusion Culture & Recreation Remodel/Equip Exsisting Library — 3,468 1,526 +38.9% unsourced
June 1988 1 question 1 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion School Schools — 2,322 2,167 +3.5% unsourced
June 1982 1 question 1 passed
Result Type Dept Description Amount Yes No Margin Source
Passed Debt Exclusion Public Works & Facilities Reconst Sewers For Drainage Purposes — 1,373 625 +37.4% unsourced
Read next
How did we get here? →
Seven years of Finance Committee warnings, in their own words. The FY27 override was predicted, in writing, as far back as 2019.
What is the override? →
The three-tier structure, what each tier funds, key terms, and how the current proposal compares to the historical pattern.

Vote data sourced from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue Proposition 2½ database. Debt exclusion amounts sourced from Marblehead ACFRs (long-term debt schedules and MD&A sections), Town Meeting warrants, and DOR records. Inflation adjustment uses BLS CPI-U annual averages; all real-dollar amounts are in 2024 dollars (the latest full-year CPI available).