Spy Results: The Votes are Counted, but What Do Voters Think?

What Easton Voters Told Us After the Election

Following the Easton Town Council election, The Spy invited readers to participate in a short survey to reflect on the results, the campaign season, and our coverage. While not scientific, the responses—offered by dozens of engaged citizens—provide clear signals about what mattered most to voters and how they experienced this election cycle.

Who Responded

Nearly 80% of respondents said they live in the Town of Easton, with the remainder coming from nearby areas or readers closely following local politics. The strong majority of respondents were, therefore, directly affected by the outcomes and had a personal stake in the process.

How Voters Felt

The response to the election results was overwhelmingly positive. Over 97% of respondents said they were “very satisfied” with the outcome, with the remaining few indicating they were “somewhat satisfied.” Many comments emphasized a sense of relief, restoration, and renewed optimism about the direction of local governance.

What Mattered Most

When asked to name the single most important issue in the election, the responses were decisive:

• Civility was the dominant concern, named by more than 70% of respondents. This focus on respectful discourse, collaborative tone, and constructive leadership far outpaced traditional policy issues.
• Population growth followed distantly, noted by approximately 15% of respondents.
• Housing concerns were cited by about 10%, often in relation to affordability and planning.
• Economic growth was identified by a small share of voters, just under 5%.

It’s clear that for this group of voters, how leaders conduct themselves mattered more than what specific policies they supported.

What People Said

Comments from readers frequently referenced the tone of the campaign. Several praised a “return to decency” and expressed satisfaction that “outside influences” and “party politics” had not prevailed. Concerns about divisiveness, dishonesty, or negativity were often framed as threats that had been narrowly avoided.

Others noted the historic turnout—over 3,000 voters—as a welcome sign of engagement, but also a reminder that a large portion of Easton’s population remains disengaged from local decision-making. A few readers hoped this election might be a turning point.

How Did The Spy Do?

In terms of coverage, feedback was equally encouraging:

• Roughly 85% of respondents found The Spy’s coverage to be “very helpful”
• Another 13% rated it “somewhat helpful”

Many readers referenced the candidate interviews and Town Hall forum, both of which were widely viewed and discussed. Others mentioned the pre-election survey and letters to the editor as useful tools for understanding candidates’ views and priorities.

Several readers suggested that The Spy continue coverage into the post-election period—keeping an eye on how elected officials follow through on their commitments and approach key issues like housing, growth, and community tone.

What’s Next

This feedback is more than a pat on the back—it’s a call to continue showing up. Voters made it clear that civil leadership, meaningful transparency, and community-focused reporting matter deeply. We will take these values forward as we cover the actions of Easton’s new Town Council.

If you have further thoughts or would like to suggest areas of coverage, our inbox is always open. And to those who took the time to respond to the survey: thank you. Your insights shape the kind of journalism The Spy strives to provide.