Jefferson Voters Reject Budget and Bus Propositions

JEFFERSON — Voters in the Jefferson Central School District rejected both the proposed school budget and a separate school bus proposition during Tuesday's annual vote. A total of 234 ballots were cast during the election.

The district's 2025-2026 school budget proposition failed by a definitive margin, receiving 91 "yes" votes and 143 "no" votes. The accompanying bus vote was also defeated by district residents, finishing with 99 votes in favor and 135 votes opposed.

In the Board of Education election, candidate Marc Lawrence secured a five-year term on the board, winning a total of 178 votes.

The election also featured 19 write-in votes distributed among several individuals. Jon Leas received three cumulative write-in votes. Carol Slicer received two write-in votes, while variations listed as Carolla Slicer and Carola Slicer each received a single write-in vote. Shawn Hartwell and James Greene also picked up two write-in votes apiece. Single write-in votes were cast for Dillan Cole, Donald Trump, John Akshar, Donald VanValkenburg, and "Anyone Else.”