What does a YES vote on Washington County Question 1 mean?

Washington County could issue up to $40,000,000 in general obligation bonds to buy and improve land under its Land and Water Legacy Program for water quality, drinking water, wetlands, woodlands, parks and wildlife habitat, with public disclosure and annual audits; the ballot estimates about $24.60 a year for twenty years on a median $420,900 homestead.

What does a NO vote on Washington County Question 1 mean?

Washington County would not issue these $40,000,000 in Land and Water Legacy bonds.

How many votes does Washington County 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 Washington County 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.

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.

Washington County Question 1 — PRESERVATION OF WATER QUALITY, WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND NATURAL AREAS

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

What it does: To continue to improve the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams, including the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, protect drinking water sources, preserve wetlands and woodlands, protect land along water bodies from development and preserve natural areas, purchase parklands, and protect wildlife habitat, shall Washington County be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate amount not to exceed $40,000,000 to acquire and improve land under the Washington County Land and Water Legacy Program with the use of funds limited to these purposes only, full public disclosure of all project spending, and subject to an annual public audit? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. This proposal would cost approximately $24.60 per year for twenty years on a residential homestead with the median estimated market value of $420,900.
A YES vote means: Washington County could issue up to $40,000,000 in general obligation bonds to buy and improve land under its Land and Water Legacy Program for water quality, drinking water, wetlands, woodlands, parks and wildlife habitat, with public disclosure and annual audits; the ballot estimates about $24.60 a year for twenty years on a median $420,900 homestead.
A NO vote means: Washington County would not issue these $40,000,000 in Land and Water Legacy bonds.
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: A YES vote leans moderately left; a NO vote leans the other way (AI-estimated from the official ballot summary, 73% confidence).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

According to the county's Land and Water Legacy Program brochure, Washington County voters approved a $20 million land and water protection referendum in November 2006, which created the program.

The county reports the program has protected over 1,900 acres through 29 conservation easements and 24 park acquisitions, with $19 million in county funds and $34 million in partner funds.

On June 2, 2026, the County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 2026-069 calling an election to ask voters to approve general obligation bonds for the program; the county describes it as a 20-year, $40 million referendum to renew the program's funding.

The county estimates the annual cost at $24.60 on a residential homestead with the median estimated market value of $420,900, $3 per $100,000 of taxable market value on agricultural homestead land, and $6 per $100,000 on non-homestead agricultural land.

Put on the ballot by Washington County Board of Commissioners, June 2, 2026 (Resolution No. 2026-069).

From official source 1, official source 2.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Washington County Question 1 mean?: Washington County could issue up to $40,000,000 in general obligation bonds to buy and improve land under its Land and Water Legacy Program for water quality, drinking water, wetlands, woodlands, parks and wildlife habitat, with public disclosure and annual audits; the ballot estimates about $24.60 a year for twenty years on a median $420,900 homestead.
What does a NO vote on Washington County Question 1 mean?: Washington County would not issue these $40,000,000 in Land and Water Legacy bonds.
How many votes does Washington County 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 Washington County 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.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Washington County ballot.

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