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Board member urges moving school election from April to November to boost turnout
Summary
Board member Mr. Quiles urged the Garfield Board of Education to consider moving its annual school election to November, citing low April turnout (about 8.41% in 2025 and 5.92% in 2026) versus nearly 57% turnout in the November 2024 general election and lower per-election costs.
At the end of its meeting a board member asked the Garfield Board of Education to study whether to shift the annual school-board election from April to November to increase participation and lower standalone election costs.
Mr. Quiles cited turnout figures and argued November elections provide more access for voters through longer voting hours, early voting and vote-by-mail, and that consolidating to November could cut the roughly $29,000 the district spent to hold the April election in one year that produced under 6% turnout. The member asked the board to consider the legal timeline and pursue a 2026 or 2027 change if practical.
Nut graf: The suggestion would change how residents select the board and how budget questions above the tax cap are presented to voters; the board did not take an immediate vote but members signaled interest in studying the issue.
Ending: Board members discussed next steps; one member said the change, if pursued, would likely take effect in the next available election cycle.
