Some voters at the Ainsworth precinct were given the wrong ballots. Washington County Auditor Dan Widmer tells KCII News that at the Ainsworth precinct on Election Day there were two ballots available depending on where voters reside, as some are in the Highland School District and others are not. A $15 million bond issuance was listed on the ballot for consideration that would maintain the tax level in the Highland School District. Widmer shares what happened with the ballot mix up, “One included language and one didn’t include language, because there are some people that vote at Ainsworth and they are not part of the Highland School District and so that’s why the bond measure was not on their ballot. However, mistakes happened and some people received the incorrect ballot when they reported to the polls. So what that meant was that some people that should have not voted with regard to the bond issue, that measure did appear on the ballot that they received. And there were some people who were eligible to vote on the bond issue received a ballot that did not include an opportunity to vote on that bond measure. And so, obviously that creates a problem.”

Initial results showed that the bond had passed with 61% in support, 1% above the required threshold. The bond issue on the ticket included renovating the high school cafeteria, a new multipurpose athletic facility and locker rooms at the high school, collaboration and classroom additions at the elementary school, and improved safe and secure entry at the elementary school. According to a letter to the district posted earlier this school year, Highland School District Superintendent Ken Crawford outlined that the bond issue will not be increasing taxes and is a “tax neutral bond issue,” as the district comes off the debt of the 2019 bond issue and replaces it with the same amount of debt service.

Widmer is working with the Secretary of State’s office and the Washington County Attorney to determine the correct way to address the error. Widmer stated he’s been in contact with Crawford regarding the situation. Widmer said it is likely that a new election will be held for the bond measure, but that has not yet been finalized.

KCII will bring updates as the path forward is determined.