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We can risk a negative cycle of job cuts, worsening City services, and less investment, or we can vote Yes! to a resilient community that protects the things that matter.

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<h2>Donate to our campaign</h2>Thank you for contributing to our campaign! Checks can be made out to Yes for Malden and be sent to:Yes for Malden PO Box 232 Malden, MA 02148Individuals and organizations can contribute any amount to a municipal ballot campaign. If an individual is contributing more than $200, <a href="https://www.ocpf.us/PublicSearch/ViewDocument?id=3015" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">state law</a> requires us to collect your occupation and employer information. You must be a U.S. citizen to donate.We're working on setting up digital donation processing, but in the meantime donations by check are the best way to contribute - and unlike online donations, there are no processing fees, so 100% of your donation goes to the campaign.

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<h2>Cost to Residents</h2>If the override passes, the average single-family homeowner will see their property tax bill increase by about $29-$44 per month, depending on whether <a href="/4687aaf2-8c4a-408e-b27a-0a19e6177ab9">Question 1</a> ($5.4 million) or <a href="/4687aaf2-8c4a-408e-b27a-0a19e6177ab9">Question 2</a> ($8.2 million) is adopted. The exact impact on your tax bill depends on your property's assessed value.Here's a quick breakdown:<ul><li>The average condo (valued at $449,000) would see an increase of $20-$30 per month, or $238-$359 annually</li><li>The average single-family home (valued at $666,000) would see an increase of $29-$44 per month, or $353-$533 annually</li><li>Most owner-occupants will see a smaller tax increase due to the residential exemption</li><li>The City's <a style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);" href="https://www.cityofmalden.org/1230/Whats-The-Impact-To-Me" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax calculator</a> shows how your property would be affected (not including the residential exemption)</li><li>Renters do not pay property tax and will not pay more unless their landlord increase their rent</li></ul>

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So what would happen if the $8.2 million override passes?

Understanding cost to residents

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<h2>The residential exemption</h2>The residential exemption reduces property taxes for homeowners who live in their homes, and shifts the cost to investor-owners. The residential exemption does not affect the City budget. It just shifts who pays what, benefiting owner-occupants while investment properties and second homes make up the difference.The City Council just voted to increase the residential exemption from 30% to 35% - the max allowed. This increase takes effect in 2026, and will reduce the tax bill for owner-occupants, regardless of the override vote. You can learn more about the residential exemption on the <a href="https://www.cityofmalden.org/602/Residential-Tax-Exemption-Program" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">City's website</a> or by reviewing the <a href="https://cityofmalden.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=14900071&amp;GUID=72120A42-1EC6-4C13-A9F5-7D9CB0397C16" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">October 2025 Council presentation</a>.

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<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>City budgets and tax overrides are complicated! We're compiling answers to common questions about the override. Don't see your question below? Email us at <a href="mailto:yesformalden@gmail.com">yesformalden@gmail.com</a>.<h4>What is Proposition 2½?</h4>Proposition 2½ is a Massachusetts law passed by voters in 1980 in an attempt to keep property taxes predictable and give communities control over local tax increases. The law sets strict, rigid limits on how much property tax revenue a city or town can collect each year.Here's how it works:<ul><li>2.5% annual growth cap: A municipality's property tax revenue can only increase by 2.5% per year, plus revenue from new construction</li><li>Levy ceiling: Cities and towns cannot collect more than 2.5% of the total assessed value of all taxable property</li><li>What this means: Even if property values soar, expenses drastically increase, or inflation spikes, total property tax collected can still only grow by that 2.5% cap</li></ul><h4>What is an override?</h4>When a community needs to raise more revenue than Prop 2½ allows, state law gives voters the power to approve an "override" — a permanent increase to the tax levy that becomes part of the base budget going forward.&nbsp;An override is a vote by the community to increase property taxes above the 2.5% cap set by state law. Unlike temporary funding, an override becomes part of the city’s base budget every year going forward. This allows Malden not only to balance the budget this year, but also to keep pace with rising costs.Overrides are not unusual. Many surrounding communities have already passed them to protect schools, public safety, and town services. Since 1980, <a href="https://dlsgateway.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=Votes.Prop2_5.OverrideUnderride">cities and towns across MA</a> have passed a total of about 1,900 overrides (including our neighbors in Medford, Melrose, and Stoneham), and 50% of those communities have passed 5 or more overrides.An override isn't a workaround or a loophole; it's the mechanism specifically built into the law to allow communities to invest in services that matter to them.&nbsp;Malden has never passed an override in its history. The March 31st vote represents the first time residents will decide whether to authorize additional funding to address the City's budget gap and prevent cuts to essential services.<h4>Why does Malden need an override?</h4>Like other cities, Malden faces serious financial challenges due to forces beyond our control:<ul><li>Inflation has gone up more than 25% since 2020, making everything more expensive.</li><li>Health insurance costs for City workers and retirees are going up fast. Costs went up 15% last year alone.</li><li>School spending requirements from the state are growing faster than City revenue. This means that the City is required to put more and more of its available funds into the schools, and to take that money from everything else - such as police, fire, DPW, and so on. The schools need the investment, but the City's budget - constrained by Prop 2½ - can't keep up.</li><li>Property taxes can only grow at 2.5% per year. Only the voters can approve an increase above that amount. And the City's expenses are growing much faster than 2.5%.</li></ul>Malden needs to pass the override to close a budget gap that is more than $8 million.<h4>What will happen if Malden does not pass an override?</h4>Voting no in this election means that 40-60 City jobs could be cut in order to balance the budget. That means hardworking Malden residents who work for police, fire, the library, and public works will be out of a job. Without these positions and services, our city will be worse off. The loss of these positions will have ripple effects throughout the community. Slower city services makes the city less appealing for new and existing businesses. Insurance premiums for homeowners and renters will rise as the city loses public safety certifications/rankings. These effects could be felt for years to come.<h4>How much will an override cost me?</h4>If the override passes, the average single-family homeowner will see their property tax bill increase by about $29-$44 per month, depending on whether <a href="https://www.yesformalden.org/the-ballot">Question 1</a> ($5.4 million) or <a href="https://www.yesformalden.org/the-ballot">Question 2</a> ($8.2 million) is adopted. The exact impact on your tax bill depends on your property's assessed value. If you own your own home, the City has increased the residential exemption which may reduce the net impact of a Proposition 2 1/2 override.&nbsp; For the average single-family home, the residential exemption increase will reduce your taxes by $291. <a href="/e689bd5a-fd58-4f90-a32f-861ab0a53f07">Learn more here.</a><h4>Can’t the city just cut spending instead of raising taxes?</h4>The only way to cut more than $8 million from the City budget is to significantly reduce the City's workforce. The exact amounts are unknown, but we estimate that this gap could require cutting 40-60 jobs, which would have a major impact on City services like police, fire, public works, library, youth and senior services, and City Hall. If we want to keep Malden a great city to live in, we can't compromise on our city services.<h4>Why don't we know what positions would be cut?</h4>After the election, the Mayor and the City Council will negotiate the City budget. This process cannot begin until they know how much funding the City will have - which will be a direct result of the March 31st election. What we do know is that the budget gap will be more than $8 million dollars, and could grow as more information - such as state financial requirements and health care costs - becomes available.<h4>Don’t rising property values mean that the city gets more property tax?</h4>No, the City does not get a windfall from rising property values. By law, and setting aside new growth, each year the City’s total property tax levy can only increase by 2.5%.The “total property tax levy” is the total amount the city can collect. Even if property values go up by an average of 5% in a year, the “total property tax levy” can still only go up by 2.5%.In fact, if the total value of all property in the City increases, the tax rate has to decrease so that the total amount of property tax collected increases by only 2.5%. <a href="https://youtu.be/0mCI6iqtGnM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more here.</a><h4>How can I be sure that the City is spending my taxes responsibly?</h4>The City shows exactly how tax dollars are being spent with a tool called <a href="https://www.cityofmalden.org/1229/How-Are-My-Taxes-Spent">ClearGov</a>. This tool uses actual data from the current year (FY26) budget and previous budgets.The City is audited every year. Annual audits and budgets are <a href="https://www.cityofmalden.org/1233/Annual-City-Audits-and-Budgets" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">available here.</a>

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<h2>Proposition 2½</h2>Proposition 2½ is a Massachusetts law passed by voters in 1980 in an attempt to keep property taxes predictable and give communities control over local tax increases. The law sets strict, rigid limits on how much property tax revenue a city or town can collect each year.Here's how it works:<ul><li>2.5% annual growth cap: A municipality's property tax revenue can only increase by 2.5% per year, plus revenue from new construction</li><li>Levy ceiling: Cities and towns cannot collect more than 2.5% of the total assessed value of all taxable property</li><li>What this means: Even if property values soar, expenses drastically increase, or inflation spikes, total property tax collected can still only grow by that 2.5% cap</li></ul>

City expenses go up much faster than that due to these factors:

Only the voters can raise taxes above 2.5% per year.

We get to choose the kind of city we want Malden to be.

<h2>Get Involved</h2>We're all in this together! Help protect our community services by volunteering, hosting an event, or donating to the campaign.

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<h2>The Ballot</h2>On March 31st, Malden voters will see two questions on the ballot, but only ONE will take effect. This is called a tiered ballot, and it gives voters a choice between two funding levels while ensuring that the community can move forward with at least one option. Vote YES on Q1 and YES on Q2 by March 31 to invest in Malden. <ul><li>Question 1: $5.4 million override</li><li>Question 2: $8.2 million override</li></ul><h2>Vote YES on Both Questions </h2>Voting YES on only one question creates risk. If that question doesn't reach 50% but the other one does, you've essentially voted against any override at all. By voting YES on both questions, you ensure that Malden can secure funding at one level or the other—giving the community the best chance to stop the cuts and start rebuilding.A "No" vote is not neutral. Without an override, Malden will continue to face severe cuts to schools, public safety, infrastructure, and vital services.

Two questions will appear on the ballot, giving voters the option of adopting an $8.2 million override or a smaller $5.4 million override.

How a tiered ballot works

Inflation, healthcare costs, and school spending mandates are rising much faster than local revenue. Only the voters can stop dozens of layoffs to police, fire, public works, library, and other City services.

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With your help, we can win this campaign and protect the critical services our community deserves. There are lots of ways to volunteer - let us know how you'd like to contribute, or get in touch with us to learn more!

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Like other cities, Malden faces serious challenges:

Malden's budget crisis, explained

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We've all seen it: inflation has gone up 25% since 2020, making everything more expensive.

Inflation

Health insurance costs for City workers and retirees are going up fast. Costs went up 15% last year alone.

Health Insurance

State required school spending is growing much faster than City revenue. Our schools need the investment, but the City budget can't keep up.

School Spending

State law limits property tax growth to 2.5% per year. Only the voters can raise taxes above the limit.

Property Taxes

Priorities Grid

Cost to Residents

<h2>Costs go up much faster than 2.5% per year</h2>The system was designed over 45 years ago to protect taxpayers from runaway tax bills. But here's the catch: 2.5% annual growth usually can't keep pace with the actual costs cities face. The price of everything from road salt to health insurance to teacher salaries tends to rise faster than 2.5% a year.&nbsp;Over decades, this gap compounds, and communities find themselves doing more with less until eventually, "less" means devastating cuts to schools, public safety, infrastructure, and services. That's the bind many Massachusetts cities and towns face today, including Malden.&nbsp;

Proposition 2 1/2

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Mayor Gary Christenson

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These are some of the top priorities our campaign is focused on.

Yes! for Malden

Proposition 2½ is a state law that governs how cities like Malden can raise money through property taxes. Cities raise taxes only 2.5% every year, unless voters approve a tax override.<a href="/5432775e-7364-4c6d-8b61-1720c74936c8">Learn more about Proposition 2½.</a>

Proposition 2½

The override ballot question gives voters multiple options: vote to approve an $8.2 million increase, vote to approve a $5.4 million increase, or vote no to the override. <a href="/4687aaf2-8c4a-408e-b27a-0a19e6177ab9">Learn more about the ballot question.</a>

The ballot question

Learn how your property taxes would increase if the override is adopted, and how the City is reducing the impact on owner-occupants.<a href="/e689bd5a-fd58-4f90-a32f-861ab0a53f07">Learn more about cost to residents.</a>

Cost to Residents

Have more questions? We've got answers.<a href="/07ee4dc5-0e68-4e35-9989-bb0f549ee7ae">Read frequently asked questions.</a>

FAQs

Malden's budget

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Events are a great way to talk about issues in our community. As a host, you'll get to bring your friends and neighbors together to learn more about the campaign and get involved. And don't worry - our team will help make sure the event is a success.Not sure what kind of event to host? No worries - fill out the form and we'll follow up.

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Share your story of why you're voting Yes! for Malden. Have you benefited from a city program or service that's now at risk? Do you have concerns about what further cuts would mean for our community? Your voice helps neighbors understand what's at stake in this election.

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<h2>FAQs about Tiered Ballots</h2>Does the question that gets the highest percentage of YES votes prevail?No. It’s the highest dollar amount that gets more than 50%, even if a different question gets a higher percentage.&nbsp;&nbsp; If more than one question gets more than 50% of YES votes, will the override be for both of those amounts of money put together?No. Only the highest dollar amount that gets more than 50% will be the amount of the override.&nbsp; What if I only support one of the amounts?You can vote however you choose, but be aware that voting YES on only one question increases the risk that no override passes at all. Many voters choose to support both questions to ensure that at least some level of funding is approved.

FAQs

When a community needs to raise more revenue than Prop 2½ allows, state law gives voters the power to approve an "override" — a permanent increase to the tax levy that becomes part of the base budget going forward.&nbsp; An override isn't a workaround or a loophole; it's the mechanism specifically built into the law to allow communities to invest in services that matter to them.&nbsp;Malden has never passed an override in its history. The March 31st vote represents the first time residents will decide whether to authorize additional funding to address the City's budget gap and prevent cuts to essential services.

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The override ballot question gives voters multiple options: vote to approve an $8.2 million increase, vote to approve a $5.4 million increase, or vote no to the override. We explain this "tiered" ballot question here.

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Proposition 2½ is a state law that governs how cities like Malden can raise money through property taxes. Cities raise taxes only 2.5% every year, unless voters approve a tax override.

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Malden is facing a financial crisis - only the voters can stop dozens of layoffs across police, fire, DPW, library, and other City departments. Join us as we come together to protect the things that matter in our community.