In order to encourage voter participation at the local level, I passed a measure to move school board elections from September to November starting in 2019.
The benefits of this are twofold: Decreased cost to local municipalities and an increased participation in our elections. The average turnout for school board elections is less than 7 percent and our municipal elections have an average turnout of 22 percent. These very low turnouts are the reason that I felt it necessary to move these elections.
I believe it is time to do the same for our bonding and local option sales tax election. By requiring that all bonding and local options sales tax elections be held in November, more of the public will become engaged in the process and not have to worry about elections being held at different times throughout the year. Convenience is important to getting more people involved in the political process.
Currently, municipalities and school districts can come back to the voters every six months if they fail to pass a bond. This change will ensure that all bonds are given full consideration once a year by the maximum number of voters in November. With this change, we will be able to have more people involved in our great process and determine where their tax dollars are being spent.
STATE REP. JAKE HIGHFILL, R-Johnston, represents District 39. The district includes Johnston, Grimes, Webster Township and Jefferson Township. He can be reached at 281-3221 or jake.highfill@legis.iowa.gov.