Turnout High for St. Michael-Albertville Levy Ballot

Suzanne Gallagher, who was heading up the polls over at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West, was wide-eyed at 2:30 p.m.

"It's been busy," she said, noting that a "steady stream" of people had come into the gymnasium to weigh in on this year's opearation levy election. 

All one has to do is look at the numbers from this afternoon. 

At around 3 p.m., more than 1,600 of a possible 12,100 voters had made their vote, between the two precincts, which include West and St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East. 

In contrast, only around 1,500 people, total voted for the levy in current levy six years ago. 

Another 100 voters, approximately, had voted absentee, Gallagher said. 

Sue Ketel, heading up the polls at East, said the high turnout was great. 

The school district's residents are voting on a "referendum revenue authorization of $500 per pupil and to replace that authorization with a new authorization of $695 per pupil. The proposed new referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for 10 years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law," according to the ballot question.

Polls are open until 8 p.m. tonight. 

Ryan Canton at Middle School West and his students, all eighth-graders, took the chance to use the election as an educational opportunity.

With the help of poll supervisor and volunteer Rhonda Zahler, the students were shown how to register to vote, a sample ballot and the machine used to tally and record votes.