Ballot Issues

In addition to candidate races there are often questions on the ballot. Some are local questions (school bonds) and others are state (referendums and initiatives). We have included this information to help you better understand the types of questions that might appear on your ballot.

Types of Local Measures

Bonds

A district will ask for authorization of bonds usually to build and/or equip a structure. New schools, fire stations and aquatic centers are examples for bond construction money.

Levies

A district will ask for authorization to cover their maintenance and operation costs. In Chelan County, school districts place levy issues on the ballot every two years to replace their previously approved expiring two-year levies. Also, other districts such as, parks and hospital districts, can place levy requests on the ballot.

Levy Lid Increase

A district, usually a fire district, will ask for authorization to increase its regular property tax levy rate. By law, fire districts have to follow a tax allocation distribution formula. If a district determines the allocation is not enough the district has the option of requesting a levy lid increase.

Annexations

A district will ask for authorization to be placed within another taxing district or change its boundary lines

• Advisory Ballots, Sales and Use Tax, Change of Form of Government, other

A district will ask voters' approval or opinion to change an existing situation or create something new.

Passing a Ballot Issue

What is required to pass a bond issue?

• A turnout equal to 40 percent of the ballots cast in the last November election is required to validate a bond election in a given district.
•  Of that total turnout, 60 percent of the votes must be "yes," for the issue to pass.

For example:

•        If 1,000 votes were cast in the last November election,
•        400 total votes must be cast to validate (40% of 1,000),  of the 400 votes cast, 240 must be "yes" votes (60% of 400 = 240).

What is required to pass a levy issue?

The levy requirements are the same as the bond issue (listed above) however, if the required 40% does not turnout, the levy can pass if the issue receives the minimum number of "yes" votes.

For example:

•        If 1,000 votes were cast in the last November election,
•        400 total votes must be cast to validate (40 percent of 1,000), of the 400 votes cast, 240 must be "yes" votes (60% of 400 = 240).
•  If less than 400 total votes cast, for example, 300 total votes cast, then 240 of the 300 votes must be "yes" votes to pass the levy.

A State Constitutional change allowed for the minimum number of "yes" votes to pass a levy. This change was due to voters staying home and not voting which caused levies to not receive the required 40% voter turnout to validate a levy.

What is required to pass a levy lid increase?

•        A fifty percent majority. (50% + 1 vote)

What is required to pass an annexation?

•        A fifty percent majority. (50% + 1 vote)

What is required to pass an advisory ballot, sales and use tax, or change of form of government?

•        A fifty percent majority. (50% + 1 vote)

State Measures are in the form of Initiatives, Referendums and Constitutional Amendments.

Information on state measures can be obtained from the Secretary of State Office .