Guilford Voters Approve Charter Changes To Elections, Budget Meetings And Town Titles

GUILFORD, CT — Guilford voters approved Town Charter revisions in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, election, according to the Town of Guilford's official results. The measure passed with 6,158 votes in favor and 3,669 opposed. Among the changes, the annual budget meeting will become informational, and voters will no longer be able to make motions there to reduce the budget.

According to the town's announcement, votes for an unsuccessful first selectman candidate will not count toward that candidate's election to the Board of Selectmen. Voters in Board of Selectmen elections can cast votes for the number of open seats. For Board of Finance and Board of Education elections, political parties may nominate as many candidates as can be elected, considering minority representation rules.

The revisions also rename the Board of Selectmen as the Select Board and change the title of first selectman to first selectperson. They clarify the definition of town meeting, according to the town's summary.

The Board of Selectmen accepted the Charter Revision Commission's draft report without changes on Monday, Aug. 24. The single ballot question read: "Shall the Guilford Town Charter be revised as proposed by the Guilford Charter Revision Commission and as approved by the Board of Selectmen at its special meeting of August 24, 2026?" Residents can review the charter revision information on the town's website.

Source: “Voters approve revisions to Guilford Town Charter” (guilfordct.gov)