Iowa lawmakers approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers to raise income taxes, giving voters the final say this November. The amendment is designed to place a higher barrier between taxpayers and tax increases by ensuring higher taxes cannot become the automatic response to budget pressures. The proposal reflects the long-standi...
In November 2025, Iowa voters weighed in on 58 local bond proposals, which directly affect property tax bills for up to 20 years, with turnout significantly higher than in other local races. Average turnout for bond elections was 37.1%, more than double the statewide average for city and school elections, suggesting voters engage more when long-term tax impacts are clear. Higher voter participatio...
Iowa voters considered 58 bond proposals totaling more than $1.7 billion in potential new borrowing. A majority (57%) of those proposals failed, with only 25 proposals (43%) gaining approval. Many repeat proposals were rejected again, showing continued taxpayer concern about property taxes and government spending. Just over $1 billion in new debt was approved, with nearly $700 million denied.
Yet despite the high cost of borrowing, 55 bond proposals totaling more than $1.6 billion will be on the ballot for Iowa voters this November. Even more striking in this interest rate environment is that 18 local governments — 15 school districts, two counties, and one community college — are returning with repeat bond requests.
Across Iowa, local officials are asking voters to approve more than $1 billion in new bond debt this November — often with the soothing assurance that these projects “won’t raise your taxes.” But that promise deserves scrutiny. It’s like paying off your car loan, immediately financing the purchase of a new one, and insisting it doesn’t cost more — just because the monthly payment stayed the same. ...
The results are in: every public measure on September 9, 2025, ballot passed across the state. That is notable, but the real headline should be the persistently low voter turnout in these September special elections—and whether it’s time to eliminate them altogether. On September 9, seven public measures appeared statewide. Three renewed the Physical Plant and Equipment Property Tax Levy (PPEL) fo...
The March 2025 special election results once again highlight the persistent challenges of low voter turnout. While many measures passed, the limited participation raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the process.
On March 4, voters in 46 Iowa counties will go to the polls. In front of them there will be measures from 25 school boards, five city councils, and three county boards. Iowa law allows local governments to propose public measures for taxpayer approval in special elections, typically held in March and September.
Voter turnout for city and county measures was 10.5%, while school measures drew only 8.5%. On September 10, 2024, twenty-one local governments held special elections with property tax measures on the ballot. Unofficial results show most of the measures passed, adding up to nearly $14 million in property tax costs. Ten of the 13 participating school districts succeeded with their […]
Twenty-one local governments are seeking property tax hikes on top of already-elevated assessments. On September 10, 2024, 13 school districts, two counties, and five cities will place property tax questions before voters in a special election. Eleven school districts are requesting a renewal or an increase in physical plant and equipment levies (PPELs), which generate local property tax dollars f...