School bond and tax elections in Wisconsin
| Bond elections |
|---|
| 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 2010 • 2009 • 2008 All years and states |
| Property tax elections |
| 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 2010 • 2009 • 2008 All years and states |
| See also |
| State comparisons How voting works Approval rates |
School bond and tax elections in Wisconsin are held under two circumstances:
- To issue new bonds; and
- To exceed revenue caps.
Laws affecting school finance
Revenue caps
In Wisconsin, there is a revenue cap that limits the amount of property tax revenues for school districts in Wisconsin. The formula is calculated according to state law and based on things like district enrollment, state aid and property taxes levied. There is an overall cap of $9,000 per pupil that applies to Wisconsin school districts in general.[1][2][3]
See law: Wisconsin State Statutes Section 121.91
Wisconsin bond issue law
Under Wisconsin law, a school district is required to issue a referendum for new bonds if the total costs of the bonding cause the district's debt to surpass $1,000,000 or a maximum calculated through a formula in state law, whichever is less. Bond elections in Wisconsin are designated automatically as special elections for the purpose of school bonds of regardless when the election is held.[4] A bond referendum can be called via a resolution if approved by a simple majority of the school board or a petition filed with the signatures of 7,500 voters or twenty percent of the school district's registered voters, whichever is less.[5]
School districts are exempted from referendums if they are ordered by a state or federal court to remove hazardous substances or be in compliance with fire standards and the districts need to issue new bonds to pay for the state or federally mandated improvements. Also, no referendum is required if a new school district is created by detaching a former consolidated district or purchasing property.[6]
See law: Wisconsin State Statutes Section 67.05
Bond elections, limitations and rules
Authority conducting elections
The respective county clerk is responsible for conducting elections.[7]
Election dates
Elections can be held during the spring primary or general election season in February or April, or the fall primary or general election season in September or November. In Wisconsin, all ballot measures for school bonds can be placed on a consolidated ballot.[8]
Needed majority
A simple majority is needed to pass a school referendum in Wisconsin.[9]
Special elections
Special referendums can be held in Wisconsin.[10][11] The school districts pay the cost for all elections including special elections.[12] If no special election is scheduled, the referendum must be put on another election within the next general election period, which includes the spring primary and general elections and the fall primary election.[13]
Wording of measures
A measure cannot be worded such that it requires a negative vote to approve a proposition or an affirmative vote to reject a proposition. If there is more than one question on the same referendum ballot the questions used on the same ballot measure are numbered in chronological order.[14]
See also
- List of Wisconsin school bond referendums
- Local school bonds on the ballot
- Voting on school bond and tax measures
- Where to find information about local school bond and tax elections
- School bond election
- Approval rates of local school bond and tax elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 121.91(4)(c)," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 120.13 (19)," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 73.0305," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 67.05(6a)(a)(3b)," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 67.05(6a)(b)," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 67.05(7)(c)(cc)(h)(i)(j)," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 5.02(2)," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 5.655," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes 121.91(3)(c)," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 8.55," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 121.91(3)(a)," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 5.68," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 121.91(3)(a)," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin State Statutes Section 5.64," accessed January 26, 2016
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