Sales tax extension OK'd


Even though signs clearly marked the polling place, the polling judges reported low turnout for Tuesday's vote on the half-cent sales tax. Lillian Hill (left) and Nelda Aegerter-Herman wait for voters to come to the polling station at City Hall.
Even though signs clearly marked the polling place, the polling judges reported low turnout for Tuesday's vote on the half-cent sales tax. Lillian Hill (left) and Nelda Aegerter-Herman wait for voters to come to the polling station at City Hall.

Despite an extremely low voter turnout, those who did come out to vote in Tuesday's special election in Cole County overwhelmingly approved a five-year extension of the county's half-cent sales tax for capital improvements.

The measure passed with 2,722 (75.8 percent) voting for the tax and 869 (24.2 percent) voting against.

Only 3,593 ballots were cast, including two absentee ballots on which no choice was made.

With 51,250 registered voters in the county, that figures up to a 7 percent voter turnout.

"It's very disappointing," said Cole County Clerk Marvin Register, who had predicted a turnout of anywhere from 9 to 12 percent.