Residents of Roxbury, New York, will vote on June 18, 2026, on whether to dissolve the town government due to a persistent lack of candidates for elected positions. The town, located in Delaware County, has struggled for years to fill seats on the town board and other offices, prompting a public referendum.
According to the Delaware County Board of Elections, the special election was authorized after a petition from residents. If approved, Roxbury would cease to exist as a town and be absorbed into the surrounding area, with services potentially transferred to the county or neighboring municipalities.
Local officials have cited the difficulty of finding volunteers for unpaid or low-paying positions as a key factor. The town's population, estimated at around 2,300, has seen declining civic engagement in recent years.
The outcome of the vote will determine whether Roxbury becomes one of the few towns in New York to dissolve in modern history. Similar dissolution efforts have occurred in other small towns across the state, often driven by fiscal pressures and staffing shortages.
