MASON CITY & CLEAR LAKE – Elections for school board members in Mason City and Clear Lake drew little interest from voters.
Despite huge budgets that rival those of the cities that they serve, the Mason City and Clear Lake school districts put the voters to sleep this fall. Ballots were cast, nonetheless, and four new faces (along with an incumbent who returns) will be seen on the Mason City School Board.
Lorrie Lane Lala, Brent Seaton, and Douglass Campbell, won four-year terms, while Jodi Draper and Paul DeRoy won two-year terms. Former teacher Scott Warren will return for a second term.
Only 5.45% of eligible voters participated in the election in Mason City. That’s 1,011 of 18,557.
In Clear Lake, the turnout was a dismal 3.0%. That’s 182 out of 6,066 voters. Three candidates sought three seats – so there was no challenge there. John Brady, Chad Kuhlers and Michael Moeller return to the board.
7 thoughts on “Extremely low voter turnout for school elections in Mason City and Clear Lake”
Like you say their hand picked dummies – Evidently the teachers did not like this person because he questioned them – the public thought he was the schools union puppet so they would not vote for him either. GOD it will be good to get TRUMP in charge.
It is sad. I think that people just feel that they don’t matter — just like with the City Council. The overall attitude that no matter what we say, they only listen to to the top 1 or 2% anyway, so it is futile. That needs to change, but I don’t know how to make that happen…Any ideas???
Do tell what the council isn’t doing for you?
School board elections are always held during the least obvious election cycles and the school system loves it this way! This way they elect their hand picked yes men and the process is off our radar screens.
Lets hold school board elections to coincide with general elections and hopefully generate more voter turnout. Or perhaps we could place the school board ballot in our property tax statement!
This is just plain sad, pathetic really.
Did you see in Riceville where a guy was running for school board, unopposed, and got ZERO votes?
Apparently the guy didn’t even vote for himself.
If they can’t turn up any votes for the guy, they have to have the school board appoint someone or hold another election.
Wow, talk about apathy at its finest folks.
Its a waste of time anyways as were going to take it in the shorts no matter who we elect, as once in office they turn a different shade of color and vote yes, yes, yes. I think the word turncoat comes to mind.
That’s really too bad, their are several opinions and comments about the teachers pay, administrator pay, school improvements ect. but only 5% voice their opinion when and where it counts, at the voting booth.