Ballots Due Tuesday For Issaquah's April Special Election

ISSAQUAH, WA — Issaquah voters have just one day left to get their ballots in for the April special election, with polls closing promptly at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26. This year's April election includes only voters living within the Issaquah School District, which has a trio of levies on the ballot.

Like other Washington school districts, Issaquah relies on voter-approved levies to help fill gaps in state funding and pay for student programs and capital projects. This year's levies include two renewals and a third measure designed to fund the district's plan to upgrade its school bus fleet.

Voter turnout has lagged in the special election, and fewer than 20 percent of registered voters had returned a ballot by Monday morning, according to King County Elections. Similar to other elections, turnout varies by age and is highest among residents 65 and older and much lower among younger voters.

However, there is still time to turn in those last-minute ballots. Since mailed ballots are required to be postmarked by Election Day to count, the safest bet will be placing them in a dropbox. Residents who still need to register to vote, return a ballot, or require other assistance can also make the trip to King County Elections' Renton headquarters until the polls close.

The first batch of results should be available online by 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Here are some tools to help make your voice heard:

• Use this map to locate a nearby ballot drop box, which will close promptly at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
• Visit King County Elections to register or find other assistance.
• Track your ballot's progress.
• Learn more about the three ballot measures.

Here's a recap of the three levies on this month's ballots:

Prop. 1: Renewal Educational Programs & Operations Levy

The first ballot measure would renew an expiring levy that currently provides more than 15 percent of the district's funding. Money from the EP&O levy helps support school nurses, guidance counselors, mental health services, extracurricular activities and sports, along with special education programs, summer school and gifted student programs. Funds also help support student transportation, including bus driver staffing, maintenance and fuel.

Prop. 2: Renewal Capital (Technology and Construction) Levy

Funding in the second levy renewal helps maintain the school district's classroom technology needs, including student laptops, tablets and library hardware. Another portion of funding supports building maintenance, including critical repairs, and will contribute to the district's plan to complete a new high school to address overcrowding.
According to the statement in favor of the measure, completing "High School #4" would help reduce significant overcrowding at Skyline and Issaquah High School. The district said construction costs increased significantly, citing supply chain issues and labor shortages.

Critics of the proposal note the levy includes $44 million to cover an estimated $78 million in cost overruns for the project. The official opposition statement criticizes the levy as a "means to cover up district bureaucrats' mismanagement," including $34 million spent on an "extravagant and unnecessary" headquarters in 2017.

Prop. 3: Transporation (School Bus) Levy

The new levy is a single-year measure and seeks to raise $3 million in 2023 by adding a small property tax so the district can purchase 64 new buses between next year and 2026. Officials said the $3 million in levy revenue mixed with $6.25 million in state reimbursements will allow the district to keep its transportation network up to standards and safely transport 7,500 students every day.