BLAIRSTOWN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — Blairstown voters will head to the polls April 21 to decide a levy cap referendum that would allow the township to exceed state-imposed budget limits.
The ballot question asks whether the Township Committee should be authorized to increase the 2026 municipal budget beyond the legal cap by $800,000.
The proposed increase would fund several budget areas, including $491,250 for police salaries and wages, $150,000 for streets and roads expenses, $64,300 for employee group insurance and $35,000 for streets and roads salaries and wages.
Additional appropriations include $20,000 for vehicle maintenance, $17,000 for general liability insurance, $11,000 for police other expenses and $11,450 for Social Security.
A “yes” vote would permit the township to adopt the proposed budget with the higher spending level, while a “no” vote would require officials to reduce appropriations to remain within state limits.
Vote-by-mail ballots were scheduled to be sent to Blairstown voters around March 23. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail is April 14, while in-person applications at the County Clerk’s Office will be accepted until 3 p.m. April 20.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, April 21.
Mail-in ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. April 26 via drop box or hand delivery to the Warren County Board of Elections office in Belvidere, or be postmarked by April 26 and received by April 27 to be counted.
The referendum applies only to Blairstown Township voters.
