Voters went to the polls April 4 and approved a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana sales and elected new faces to school boards and to Ward 4 of the Jackson Board of Aldermen, but they turned down two requests from Jackson R-2 that would raise their property taxes.
Official results of the election are as follows:
Marijuana sales tax
Cape County voters chose to add a 3% county sales tax to recreational marijuana sales in the county by a wide margin: 7,361 (74.23%) to 2,556 (25.77%).
A similar proposition passed with similar results in the City of Jackson, 1,993 (76.54%) to 611 (23.46%) and in the City of Cape Girardeau, 2,427 (73.48%) to 876 (26.52%).
Jackson R-2
The Jackson R-2 School District had two requests for tax increases on the ballot. Both requests were rejected by voters.
Proposition I would have increased the operating tax levy by 47¢ per $100 assessed valuation of real and personal property in order to help Jackson R-2 offer competitive teacher salaries and benefits, lower class sizes and help fund transportation. This failed on a vote of 2,792 yes (47.03%) to 3,145 no (52.97%).
Proposition N was a request to borrow $60 million for building projects that included more classroom and gym space at North elementary, a performing arts center at the high school, enhanced school safety, and numerous building improvements, such as new roofs where needed. This would have increased the debt service property tax levy from $0.36 to $0.80 per $100 assessed valuation of real and personal property. It failed on a vote of 2,586 yes (43.5%) to 3,359 no (56.5%).
Two new members will join the Jackson R-2 Board of Education. Incumbent Gregory Farrow was the top vote-getter with 3,592 (24.94%). He will be joined by newcomers Christine Warren, who received 3,369 votes (23.39%) and Brandon Pylate, who received 3,125 votes (21.7%).
Incumbent Bruce Thomas lost his bid for re-election, receiving 2,426 votes (16.85%) and a third challenger, Darcy Lilley, garnered 1,889 votes (13.12%).
Jackson Alderman
Incumbent Tommy Kimbel was unsuccessful in his reelection bid for alderman in Ward 4. Challenger Shana Williams collected 257 votes (55.39%) to Kimbel’s 207 (44.61%).
Mayor Dwain Hahs and the aldermen in Wards 1-3 (Wanda Young, David Hitt and Katy Liley) ran unopposed and were reelected.
Oak Ridge R-6
Mary Seyer was the top vote-getter for the Oak Ridge R-6 School Board, collecting 223 votes (25.45%). She will be joined on the board by Whitney McFall, who received 203 votes (24.08%) and Jeffrey Hahs, with 159 votes (18.86%). Hahs had served on the school board in the past but was not currently a member.
Incumbent Thomas Schreiner lost his bid for reelection, garnering 145 votes (17.2%), and Andrew Martin came in fifth place with 113 votes (13.4%).
Public Health Center Board of Trustees
Incumbent Diane Howard and newcomer Nancy John-son were elected to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center Board of Trustees. Howard received 4,919 votes (30.53%) and Johnson received 4,222 votes (26.2%). Losing in the race were Richard Swartz, who received 3,727 votes (23.13%) and incumbent William Lewis, who received 3,246 votes (20.14%).
