Rochester, MN (KROC AM News)  - A KROC-AM News analysis of the votes cast in Tuesday’s operating levy referendum in the Rochester School District shows the approval of the property tax increase was largely due to the votes cast by citizens in southwest Rochester.

The analysis found the proposal was soundly rejected by voters who cast their ballots at every rural polling place, including Marion Township where the no vote tally was 230 above the yes vote total for a 2 to 1 ratio against the property tax hike. The votes against the plan were higher than the votes for it at every precinct in southern Rochester’s 1st Ward, while the results were mixed across most of the rest of the city.

In the 2nd Ward, voters in every precinct favored the property tax increase. The strongest support was found in the precinct that encompasses the Pill Hill neighborhood, which historical voting records show has long been a bastion of support for school district referendums. Unofficial results show the vote totals from the polling place at the Edison Building favored the proposal by 246 votes, or a 2 to 1 margin.

The latest preliminary tally of the overall vote had the operating levy winning approval by a 247 vote margin. The School Board is expected to officially certify the election results next Tuesday.

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