SAUGUS — Anne Marie Cromwick and her husband, David Cromwick, made their voices heard regarding the 72% vote in favor of an audit of the State Legislature in 2024.

The Cromwicks reached out to the Board of Selectmen, asking them to send a letter to the Massachusetts State Legislature requesting that it “comply with the will of the residents of Saugus.”

“As you know, in November of 2024, a ballot question was passed with bipartisan support. Seventy-two percent of the residents of Massachusetts voted to have the legislature audited by the state auditor,” Anne Marie Cromwick said.

She said there is currently a campaign asking local officials to add pressure.

“They cannot ignore the will of the people,” Anne Marie Cromwick said.

David Cromwick said that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Saugus have spoken in support.

“We demand transparency from our state legislature. We urge you to sign this letter,” he said.

When the Cromwicks finished speaking, they received applause from those in the audience, clearly in favor of the audit.

The board told the Cromwicks that they had already drafted their own letter addressed to Speaker of the House Rep. Ronald Mariano and President of the Senate Sen. Karen Spilka.

The letter read: “Dear Speaker Mariano and Senator President Spilka, the Saugus Board of Selectmen writes to express our strong support for implementing Question One from the November 2024 ballot. The Saugus voters approved Question One by 71.9%, joining with 72% of voters statewide authorizing State Auditor Diane DiZoglio to audit the Massachusetts Legislature. The legislature remains the only state entity that does not permit oversight by the state auditor’s office. While legislative leaders have claimed that internal audits conducted by a privately procured vendor are sufficient, the voters of Massachusetts have clearly expressed their desire for independent review.

It continued to note that the Massachusetts Legislature ranks among the least transparent in the nation and is one of the only four state legislatures exempt from public record laws.

“Independent auditing is essential. Government entities that self-regulate pose risks of self-interest and reduce accountability to voters. Implementing this audit would enhance government transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility,” it read.

The selectmen unanimously approved the letter being sent, and Selectman Michael Serino thanked the Cromwicks for speaking out.