About $70.3 billion of bond referenda are on ballots across the nation on Nov. 8, the largest total since 2006, with the lion's share coming from the state of California, a staggering $41.72 billion, according to Ipreo data.
It follows that California has the 11 largest bond elections, five each over $1 billion, and 13 of the top 15, and 16 of the top 20. And Californians will also decide a proposition making it more difficult to issue revenue bonds of more than $2 billion.
In contrast, last year there was just one election over $1 billion, a $1.6 billion bond vote for the Dallas Independent School District, which was approved.
The largest proposition is a $9 billion California statewide measure that provides school districts, community college districts and charter schools with matching state funds for school construction. If passed, it would provide $3 billion for new construction, $3 billion for modernization of K-12 schools, $1 billion for charter schools and vocational education, and $2 billion for community colleges.
California voters will also decide on the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit Authority's request for $3.5 billion GOs, backed by a property tax increase.
The Los Angeles Community College District will seek $3.5 billion in bond authority under Ballot Measure CC, and Long Beach Unifies School District is seeking $1.5 billion for air conditioning, athletic fields and other capital projects.
Los Angeles voters will also consider a $1.2 billion city homeless bond plan. Santa Clara County's measure A would provide $950 million for housing in an effort to curb homelessness.
Capistrano Unified School District wants permission to issue $889 million in bonds. Chino Valley USD wants authorization to sell $750 million of bonds. San Juan Unified is also seeking $750 million in authority. San Jose–Evergreen Community College District is asking voters to approve $748 million of issuance, while San Francisco USD wants $744.25 million
Austin, Texas, is requesting $720 million in bonds for transportation and mobility projects, while El Paso ISD seeks $669 million.
Back to California, where Oakland requested voters approve $600 million of bonds to improve infrastructure and build affordable housing, and Alameda County voters will decide whether the county can issue $580 million of bonds to build affordable housing. College of the Desert wants $577.86 million for renovation and expansion.
Denver, Colo., SD 1 wants $572 million of bond authorization, and Jefferson Co. SD R-1, Colo., is looking for $535 million in bonds.
The East Side Union High School District put a $510 million referendum before voters, the third time it's requested bonds in four years. Kern Community College District wants $502.82 million of bonds to allow it to expand. Elk Grove Unified School District wants its first bond issue $476 million to make repairs and perhaps build new schools.
Columbus, Ohio, seeks a total of $950 million in bonds, with the largest portion being $460 million that would be used for utilities improvement. The $950 million includes $310 million mostly for street and highway projects.
The Auburn, Wash., SD 408 seeks $456.056 million for construction, equipment and rebuilding.
MiraCosta Community College District in California wants $455 million for construction.
San Antonio ISD voters will be asked to approve $450 million of bonds to update schools that the superintendent said haven't been worked on in nearly 50 years, while a Tax Ratification Election will ask for a 13-cent tax hike to pay for the district's day-to-day activities.
North Clackamas School District 12, Ore., put a $433 million bond before voters, in an attempt to renovate and rebuild schools.
California's Southwestern CCD proposed a $400 million bond deal for infrastructure repair, while Riverside USD wants $392 million for upgrades, repairs and improvements to its schools 33 of which are more than 40 years old and five are more than 100 years old. Antelope Valley CCD has a $350 million request. Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD requests $348 million for infrastructure, while Santa Monica CCD wants $345 million for a laundry list of projects.
Alpine SD in Utah has a $387 million bond election mostly for construction and renovation. Poudre SD R-1 in Colorado is asking voters for $375 million of bond authority, while Adams County SD 12 has a $350 million ballot question and Adams-Arapahoe Joint SD 28 seeks $300 million. Southeast CCD in Nebraska wants $369 million for renovations and construction. Forsyth County, N.C., schools have asked for $350 million to build two schools and fix four others.
In Texas, Spring ISD has asked voters for $330 million, mostly for facilities and technology.
Glendale CCD has a $325 million bond vote for renovating, repairing and remodeling facilities. Anaheim Elementary School District seeks $318 million for equipment and facility upgrades. Garden Grove USD wants $311 million of bonding power. Pomona USD seeks $300 million to continue making the projects begun with a $235 million bond measure eight years ago.
Other bond elections above $175 million:
- Highline SD 401, Wash., $299.85M
- Tigard-Tualatin SD 23J, Ore., $291.3M
- Gresham-Barlow SD 10J, Ore., $291.2M
- Orange USD, Calif., $288M
- Thompson SD R-2J, Colo., $288M
- Lodi USD, Calif., $281M
- Kern HSD, Calif., $280M
- Campbell UHSD, Calif., $275M
- Henrico Co., Va., $272.6M
- Pleasanton USD, Calif., $270M
- Midlothian ISD, Texas, $268M
- St. Vrain Valley School District RE-1J, Colo., $260.34M
- Beverly Hills USD, Calif., $260M
- Portland, Ore., $258.4M
- San Francisco, Calif., $254.7M
- Kent SD 415, Wash., $252M
- Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, Calif., $250M
- Cherry Creek SD 5, Colo., $250M
- Sherwood SD, Ore., $247.5M
- Simi Valley Unified School District, Calif., $239M
- Colorado Springs SD 11, Colo., $250M
- Wyandotte Co. USD 500, Kan., $235M
- Loudoun Co., Va., $233M
- Academy SD 20, Colo., $230M
- Scottsdale USD 48, Ariz., $229M
- Fresno USD, Calif., $225M
- Novato USD, Calif., $222M
- Clear Lake City Water Authority, Texas, $220M
- Pearland ISD, Texas, $220M
- Beaufort Co. SD, S.C., $217M
- Palm Springs USD, Calif., $216.5M
- El Rancho USD, Calif., $200M
- Montana $200M
- Charleston Co., S.C., $200M
- Prince George's Co., Md., $199M
- Peoria USD, Ariz., $198M
- Corpus Christi ISD, Texas, $194M
- Butte-Glenn CCD, Calif., $190M
- Washington Twp Metro SD, Ind., $185M
- Groton, Conn., $184.5M
- Philadelphia $184.3M
- Champaign CUSD 4, Ill., $183.4M
- College of West Idaho, $180M
