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Committee rejects bill that would impose turnout thresholds for local levy elections; sponsor urges moving elections to general election
Summary
Senator Hertz said Senate Bill 205 would set turnout-based thresholds for levies — full turnout (>=50%) requires simple majority, 40–50% needs 60% approval, under 40% fails — but the committee voted the measure down and then tabled further action.
Senate Bill 205, also sponsored by Senator Hertz, proposes changing how local-levy elections are decided based on turnout: if a qualified-elector turnout is 50% or higher, a simple majority would decide; if turnout is between 40% and 50% the measure would need 60% approval; and below 40% the levy would fail. "If you have 50% or more voter turnout of the qualified voters, then, simple majority," Hertz said. "If you have less between 40–50%, you need a 60% majority. And then anything below 40% that levy doesn't pass."
The sponsor included an amendment clarifying how 'qualified electors' are counted using secretary-of-state language on active registration lists. Committee members debated the democratic trade-offs: opponents argued the measure weighs in at the state level on local election mechanics and that it could disenfranchise some communities; proponents argued it holds levies to stronger participation standards or should be scheduled for general elections.
The committee held a roll-call vote on the bill as amended; the motion failed. Senator Beard then moved to table SB205 and the committee ordered it tabled 'without objection.'
