Ely School District (ISD #696) Question 1 — Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New Authorization (St. Louis County)
Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Ely school district voters
Results: the official election results site. Counts are unofficial until certified.
- What it does
- The school board of Independent School District No. 696 (Ely Public Schools) has proposed to revoke the school districts existing referendum revenue authorization of $347.99 per pupil and to replace that authorization with a new authorization of $1,775 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years commencing with taxes payable in 2027, and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2028, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the school districts existing referendum revenue authorization be revoked, and the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 696 be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
- A YES vote means
- Ely Public Schools (ISD #696) would replace its existing $347.99-per-pupil referendum revenue with a new $1,775-per-pupil authorization for ten years starting with taxes payable in 2027, rising with inflation from 2028.
- A NO vote means
- The existing $347.99-per-pupil authorization would not be replaced with the new $1,775-per-pupil authorization.
- Needed to pass
- A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
- Left–right lean
- Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.
Background
The Ely School Board's August 10, 2026 agenda included a roll-call vote on a resolution revoking the existing referendum revenue authorization, approving a new one and calling the special election. The vote outcome is not in the posted agenda.
An Ely Public Schools flyer says the referendum would replace the current $347.99-per-pupil authority with $1,775 per pupil for 10 years. It says the money can be used for all operating expenses.
The district estimates the net property tax impact at $0. It credits Seasonal Tax Base Replacement Aid, created by legislation passed in May 2026, which provides state funding to offset the local tax impact.
According to the district's tax information site, run by its financial advisor Ehlers, seasonal recreational property such as cabins would pay no taxes for the referendum, and agricultural property would pay only on the house, garage and one acre.
Next elections here
Also on St. Louis County ballots
Quick answers
- What does a YES vote on Ely School District (ISD #696) Question 1 mean?
- Ely Public Schools (ISD #696) would replace its existing $347.99-per-pupil referendum revenue with a new $1,775-per-pupil authorization for ten years starting with taxes payable in 2027, rising with inflation from 2028.
- What does a NO vote on Ely School District (ISD #696) Question 1 mean?
- The existing $347.99-per-pupil authorization would not be replaced with the new $1,775-per-pupil authorization.
- How many votes does Ely School District (ISD #696) Question 1 need to pass?
- A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
- Should I vote yes or no on Ely School District (ISD #696) Question 1?
- SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
- When is the vote?
- The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.
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