Voting for the Jamestown Public Schools budget and Board of Education is right around the corner, and there are some changes this year regarding how absentee ballots can be obtained.

Juanita Walter of JPS said that it’s “confusing” for voters because the process for receiving an absentee ballot has changed from last year.

Last year’s election received a high voter turnout as a result of absentee ballots being sent to all pre-registered voters. In order to receive an absentee ballot this year, residents will have to request one from the school district.

An application will be sent out where voters will determine why they are requesting an absentee ballot, whether it’s due to COVID, other long-term illnesses or being absent on voting day.

Voter turnout is expected to be high again this year due to Capital Project 2022, an $86.5 million project to improve, modernize and provide essential maintenance to the facilities of JPS — all with no tax increase. Improvements in windows and roofs work towards the goal of the project to keep students “warm, safe and dry.”

It’s important for the community to vote in this year’s budget and school board election in order to, “get their voices heard,” Walter said.

There will be two JPS board members on the May 18 ballot that will serve a three-year term beginning July 1. The 2021-22 proposed budget will be available for public review in the superintendent’s office, the JPS website at www.jamestownpublicschools.org or at the Prendergast Library starting May 12.

On May 11, a public hearing for the budget will take place in the Persell Middle School auditorium at 6 p.m.

For more information about absentee ballots call or email Walter at 483-4420 or juanita.m.walter@jpsny.org. To learn more about Capital Project 2022 visit jpsny.org/capitalproject.