Garofalo Pitches State Ban on Odd-Year School Referendum Votes

State Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-District 36A) of Farmington, unveiled proposed legislation on Nov. 9 that would require school districts to hold their levy referendums in General Election years, and not odd-years such as this election season.

“This bill is about transparency, open democracy and greater public participation in school levies,” Garofalo said in a release. “Districts know the facts—their levies are more likely to be approved in odd-year elections because of lower turnout and lower voter engagement"

Garofalo pointed to a Minnesota Department of Education study that said referendums held during odd-year elections pass at a rate of more than 70 percent. Conversely, during even-year elections when statewide elections are held for state or federal offices, that percentage falls to 52 percent of referendums that pass.

“This bill would prevent situations where districts put a referendum on the ballot intentionally in an odd-year election to exploit lower turnout,” Garofalo said.

Garofalo's release said that since state education funding is set during legislative sessions in odd-numbered years, holding referendums in even-year elections would also give schools and taxpayers time to fully assess their district’s financial situation.

“The governor and the Legislature this year agreed to a $650 million increase in education funding, and now just a few months later many districts are back asking for more. Some of them were planning for levies even before the Legislature adjourned, regardless of what the state would provide. Holding elections in General Election years is the most open, transparent way for schools to make their case to voters,” Garofalo said.

did not have a levy referendum on this year's ballot.