More than 150 voters turned out to the polls at United Methodist Church in this first hour this morning.

Tuesday, November 06, 2001

More than 150 voters turned out to the polls at United Methodist Church in this first hour this morning. Election judges hope the early numbers indicate high voter interest in the school referendum.

&uot;We always want to see the voters come out in force. As election judges, it gives us more work, but we respect the process,&uot; said Iris Tarvestad, chief judge at United Methodist, where city wards II, III and V vote.

With about 5,000 registered voters in the precinct, Tarvestad thinks a healthy turnout would exceed 50 percent. Nice weather usually helps, she said.

&uot;This school issue is the only item, so voters shouldn’t have to wait in line. We can move people along pretty quickly with such a short ballot,&uot; she said.

Dick Paul, an election judge working with Tarvestad, said about a dozen people were newly registered. He said that usually indicates strong interest in the issue.

&uot;Maybe we can register more than 100 today – that would be good,&uot; he said.

Polls close at 8 p.m. district-wide.

The referendum would approve an additional $358 in per-student revenue, with 53 percent of that total coming from statewide funds and the rest coming from local property taxes.

The school district says it needs the funding to maintain its current programming level and keep its existing schools open.

More than half the state’s school districts have levy questions on the ballot today, including nearby districts like Austin, Rochester, Mankato and Winona.