Voter Registration Will be a Challenge in Passing the Bond

     Voter turnout in Yakima County is notoriously low. Voting numbers have been trending downward over the past four years, with the last primary election in Yakima County seeing only 16.38% turnout, compared to 2021’s 21.24%. The Yakima School District set a goal to pass a new bond measure to rebuild two elementary schools, update playgrounds, and make sports-related upgrades and improvements at the high schools. To pass the bond, Yakima needs a 60% supermajority. This may be a challenge.  
     Dr. Greene, the Yakima School District Superintendent, recently held a press conference with Mr. DeWitt’s journalism class to share information about the bond. He seemed to have high hopes of the bond passing, mainly because Yakima hasn’t proposed a bond since 2006. Almost every other district in Washington has proposed a bond, though not all have passed. Yakima is unique in that it hasn’t had a proposed bond this cycle, and he hopes Yakima citizens recognize this and are more willing to pass the bond.

     However, there are concerns about its success, as Yakima residents tend not to vote for measures that increase costs; in this case, the average homeowner would pay an additional $20.50 per month. Recently, a levy failed to pass, and Yakima city citizens would have had to pay $2.46 per thousand rather than $1.84 per thousand. The most recent bond, proposed in 2006, failed, was redrafted, cut twice, and passed in 2009. Dr. Greene hopes Yakima citizens will recognize the School District's need for the bond and that it outweighs the amount the district is requesting.

     Dr. Greene says he plans to promote the bond in the community by sharing strictly factual information. While he cannot tell you how to vote, he does encourage the community to consider the pros and potential cons that will be shared. He believes there will be citizen groups for or against the bond, and that these groups will spread the word and encourage people to vote.