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Sales tax funds drive construction of new Doniphan event center
The village of Doniphan is making local history Tuesday.
Tuesday is the deadline for Doniphan and Hall County's first ever all mail in election. The village of Doniphan is hoping the soon to be event center will be a community staple. "Without the sales tax, the community building would not be a possibility, because we have no way of funding it," said Terry Connick, President of Economic Development Corp. That sales tax was approved back in 2009. Just 1% to help fund the economic development program. Now, Doniphan residents are voting on whether or not to extend the sales tax from ending in 2019 to 2029. "From the different groups of people I have talked to, everyone seems to be real supportive of the extension," said Connick. "But, the only thing is, I've heard that return hasn't been that great," said Tillie Defreese, Doniphan Resident. That's because of a twist in the election process. It's an all mail in election. What may seem like a poor turnout for a mail in election, isn't necessarily a bad turnout regularly. About 40% of ballots were returned in this election, but according to Hall County Election Commissioner, Dale Baker, often times all mail-in elections can reach up to an 80% return rate. "Generally, statistically the voter turnout is better because the ballots are delivered to the door, then all they have to do is put a stamp on them and send them back," said Dale Baker, Hall County Election Commissioner. But, that's where trouble steps in. Tillie Defreese voted because she strongly supports the issue and not because it was easier. "I figured that the postage would have probably been included on the ballot, so I think that might have been a drawback," said Defreese. It's a trend we saw making its way into several local counties for the presidential election. Though, in Doniphan voter turnout wasn't as staggering as statistics from across the country show. Turnout was still over 40%. Baker says, there may be a day we no longer have any polling places. Those ballots were counted and the results came in just after 5 this evening. Both measures passed. This means there will be an extra ten year extension to the sales tax and it will go towards the economic development program. |
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