It is important to vote in the upcoming town election, especially if you have/will have children in Franklin Public Schools.
I read Mr. Steve Sherlock’s recent (10/25/25) editorial in Franklin Matters Weekly, titled, “80% of the Franklin registered voters don’t care” (Franklin MAtters Weekly: 80% of the Franklin (MA) registered voters don’t care), describing the general lack of interest in town elections in Franklin. It’s disappointing that so many residents don’t vote in local elections. Using data provided by Mr. Sherlock (with permission), the average voter turnout for all town elections since 2003 is about 18% (range 12.0-23.5). This suggests that many in Franklin are content to let a small group make decisions for everyone. Really? One could argue that town elections have relatively more direct impact on the daily lives of Franklinites than the State and Presidential elections that have greater voter turnout.
Why is it important to vote in town elections, especially if you have/will have children in Franklin Public Schools (FPS)? The upcoming election on November 4th will be consequential for the future of your children, especially given the dire financial forecasts for the town and schools. If you don’t vote, you’re letting a small number of people decide how your schools are funded. The people elected to the Town Council and School Committee on Tuesday will decide any future cuts in school funding and programs. Previous cuts to FPS over the past 20 years resulted in FPS families paying more for less via increasing fees; this trend will continue if more cuts are proposed. These cuts weaken our schools, and increased fees deepen income-based educational inequalities in Franklin. So much for a “free public education” in the birthplace of Horace Mann.
So, for those of you who have/will have children in Franklin Public Schools, the importance of voting for your kids in the upcoming town election cannot be overstated. Every vote counts, especially in local elections. If you are out at your kids’ events this weekend, ask around to see who is voting, and plead with those who aren’t to do so. The election is November 4th with numerous options to vote by alternative methods if you can’t make it to the polls on that date. Details may be found on the Town Clerk’s website (Town Clerk / Elections Division | Franklin, MA).
Voting in this election isn’t just a civic duty — it’s a vote for your children’s future.
Kit Brady
Franklin resident
If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html
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| Voices of Franklin: Kit Brady urges school families to vote on or before Nov 4 |
