Improving voter engagement on tax increase ballot measures

No matter where you live, tax increases have a significant impact on citizens and businesses. State and federal tax increases are often easier to track, but local tax increases can sometimes fly under the radar. In fact, local tax increases often get considered during low-turnout special elections in winter and early spring, when few are even aware that there is an election being held. In an effort to ensure the highest voter participation possible for tax increases, these ballot proposals should be moved to the November General election.

Voter turnout fluctuates significantly across a four-year cycle. Special tax elections in the winter and spring consistently suffer from even lower voter turnout than off-year elections. Special elections nationally, on average, have a 19% turnout compared to 44% in general elections.

There are many contributing factors as to why the general election has a higher turnout. TV ads and mailers in these elections generally attract more attention to vote on these ballots. Voters have also been conditioned to know that the “big ticket” ballot items occur at the November general election.

Despite this, nationally from 1981 to 2020, roughly 82% of local option tax ballot measures took place at a special election. These special elections usually determine matters like school bonds and city tax levies. This means important tax issues were decided during low-turnout elections.

Currently, Idaho holds its primary election in May, and a general election in November. Washington has a February and April local and special election date, along with an August primary and November general. Montana has a May special and local election date, with a June primary, and November general election. Wyoming holds an August primary and November general election. These are the dates tax measures are considered.

Unfortunately, we see a trend of local government officials putting tax proposals on the calendar during elections with historically low turnout. Why shouldn’t these matters be considered at the November general election ballot? Government officials proposing a tax increase owe it to their residents to put important decisions in front of them when they know voters are paying attention and more likely to participate in an election.

Idaho has made significant progress to consolidate elections. In 2023, Idaho lawmakers eliminated the annual March election, and in 2024 removed the August school elections to increase voter turnout and civic engagement. Historically, this is when school districts often offer supplemental levies; instead, those were shifted to the May primary or November general election with higher voter turnout.

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane stated that these recent changes have been appropriate. There is a concern that further consolidation could lead to extra pressure on volunteer election workers who would have a packed ballot. The office said that they are satisfied with the legislative actions and will continue to push extra messaging in the election cycles to continue and increase voter turnout. It should be mentioned that the consolidation of elections can also lead to reduced costs of administration.

What could take reforms a step further in the right direction in Idaho is moving these school district and local taxing district issues to the general elections in November rather than continuing to allow the May primary as an option. Other states should do the same.

The data from every state show that there is a higher turnout in every single general election than in the primary prior to it. If the purpose of the primary is more for party politics and has a lower turnout, then the tax proposals should be moved to the November general, where there is the highest voter involvement. This increased voter participation is especially critical when considering new taxes and fees.

A low-turnout election should not be used to consider increasing the tax burden imposed on citizens and businesses. Policymakers should ensure that in every instance, ballot measures proposing tax increases are voted on in the general election, or at a minimum, during the primary election.

Government officials should strive to maximize voter participation on important issues, and requiring tax increases to be considered at a primary or general election does just that.