Washington County officials have received a petition challenging the vote of the Highland School District bond measure. This comes following an incident where voters at the Ainsworth precinct were given the wrong ballots on election day as voters from both the Highland School District and the WACO School District cast their votes in Ainsworth. The Highland School District had a $15 million bond issuance on the ballot for consideration and results from the election showed it passing with 61% of the votes in favor of the measure.

Washington County Auditor Dan Widmer tells KCII News that a petition with the necessary number of signatures has been received and shares what the process is moving forward, “We are researching and proactively requesting assistance and clarification from the Iowa SOS office as to the next steps in the process. Should all the requirements of the process be met a District Judge will make a decision.”

While a petition was submitted, the required $3,000 bond has not been received. Widmer adds that code is not completely clear on whether the bond deadline is 20 days from the first canvass of ballots, or the second canvass. If it is the first canvass then the deadline was December 2nd, if it is the second canvass date then the 20-days would fall on Monday, December 9th.