Bond proposals and tax overrides in a high-turnout election like the Nov. 6 presidential election have a higher chance of passage than those in the typical low-turnout special election according to a political science expert at Denver’s Metropolitan State University.
Over the past 30 years, 78% of the bond issues and mill levy override questions posed to voters were approved and most were during presidential elections, professor Norman Provizer told Denver TV station KUSA.
In 2011, an off-year for elections, only 25% of the tax questions posed to voters were passed. When turnout is low, the people against raising taxes have a better chance of winning because generally people do support schools. “There tends to be people who are really opposed to something that have more motivation to go to the polls than people who are motivated to say yes,” Proviser said.
On Nov. 6, the Denver Public School District is asking for a record $466 million bond issue along with a $49 million mill levy override. Jefferson County is asking voters for a $99 million school bond issue and $39 million mill levy override.
The Cherry Creek School District is asking voters for a $125 million bond issue and $25 million mill levy override. Aurora schools are seeking a $15 million mill levy override. The small school district of Sheridan is asking for a $6.5 million bond issue for school construction.
