Low Voter Turnout Expected for St. Charles Special Election

St. Charles County Director of Elections Rich Chrismer said he expects about 10 percent turnout in the special election Feb. 8. 

The two items on the ballot include a tax levy transfer for tand a mayoral primary for city of St. Charles. 

"If we hit 10 percent, we'll be lucky," he said. "Especially with the snow that's predicted for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday."

The 2007 St. Charles Mayoral primary, during which Mayor Patti York faced Grace Nichols and John Gieseke, had 16 percent turnout, according to the election authority. 

According to Chrismer, the election will cost St. Charles City $106,000 and St. Charles School District about $82,000 - about $30,000 more than the district anticipated. 

Polling locations open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Residents can look up their polling place by address on the St. Charles County Election Authority website. 

Tax Levy Transfer

The tax levy transfer won't raise the district's tax rate, which is at $4.56 per $100 of assessed value. The transfer allows the district to designate an additional 13 cents of that $4.56 per $100 assessed value from paying off debt to paying for operating expenses instead. 

The change, if approved, would generate an additional $1.2 million for teacher salaries, supplies and other expenses. The district expects to receive a cut in state funding of about $1.2 million next year. Cost are expected to grow by $1.8 million due to additional students, and an increase in mandatory state retirement contribution.

The district posted a document that details how property taxes have changed during the last seven years on its website. 

Mayoral Primary

Four names will appear on the ballot tomorrow, although only two people have been campaigning. Former councilman Erv Ermeling dropped out of the race because of health issues, although his name will still appear. 

Former city street department employee Mark Drake has not campaigned, raised funds or talked to the media. 

Current Mayor Patti York and State Rep. Sally Faith have participated in a debate and actively campaigned.  The top two vote-getters Feb. 8 will  face one another in the April 5 mayoral election.

Read our earlier story about the .