Westonka taxpayers lose

It was a very close election yesterday, but with voter turnout at only 35% the result can’t be assumed to reflect the wishes of the majority of school district residents. The whopper bond on Question #2 barely squeaked by with only a 110 vote lead out of 5,132 votes.

There is no question if this referendum had been held in an even numbered year, where voter turnout is typically 60-80%, it would have gone down in flames. But the Westonka school board knows that and realizes their ability to suppress opposition voting is much better during an off-year when other statewide races don’t draw their opposition voters to the polls.

In addition, Question #2, which will increase district property taxes for the capital projects levy, passed as well and 100% of the incumbent school board members were reelected.

The only solution to repairing the public’s trust in school district elections is to require they be held in even numbered years, when voter turnout is higher and outcomes are more likely to represent the community as a whole. But that would require a school board that values the voice of the majority.

Since Westonka doesn’t have a school board that values the voice of the majority, the only vehicle to accomplish getting rid of these off-year, voter suppressive elections, is for residents to petition to have a referendum on the ballot requiring them to do so.