(10/27/21) Over the last several weeks, details of Referendum 2021 have been shared with the community. The school district and its schools have covered information about the proposed renewal of two levies for learning, and the consideration of investing in a new operating levy aimed to provide support for all students.

Now is the time to vote.

If you haven’t already voted early, make a plan to vote:

• on Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 2. Find your polling place.
  Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• or vote early at the Anoka County Government Center, located at 2100 Third Avenue in downtown Anoka.
• Saturday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  (Note: The Anoka Halloween Parade is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 1 p.m. Designated parking spots for voters are reserved in front of the building)
• Monday, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Voters in both Anoka and Hennepin counties may contact Anoka County Elections at 763-324-1300 with additional voting questions.

What’s on the ballot?

Many school districts in the state of Minnesota rely on locally approved operating levies to help fund their schools. Anoka-Hennepin Schools is the largest school district in the state of Minnesota, but its per student operating levy is one of the lowest compared to the top 10 other metro suburban school districts in the state. Official ballot language can be confusing; view a helpful descriptor to better understand what each question means for all schools and every student. 

Voting information

Be informed. Voters in Anoka-Hennepin communities have the opportunity to weigh in on three questions. By asking the community to weigh in now, the school district may be able to avoid cutting resources beginning in the summer of 2022 if voters decide that the questions on the ballot are still priorities in the school system. 

Resources are available for voters to learn more about Referendum 2021:

• An overview video summarizes the impact of the referendum for schools and students. 
  
  
• A logical consequences video explains the impact for students/schools if the three questions fail.
  
  
• Referendum 2021 website: ahschools.us/vote2021. View your sample ballot, find your polling place, flyers and fact sheets, archived information presentations, and more.
  
  
• Detailed information about each question on the ballot:
  • Question 1: Renewal of 9.3% of the school district’s general budget.
    (No tax impact; current taxes would be extended.)
  • Question 2: Renewal of a capital projects levy for technology.
    (No tax impact; current taxes would be extended.)
  • Question 3: Consideration of a new operating levy aimed to support mental health, social-emotional needs and academic support in response to the pandemic. (If approved, residents would not begin paying taxes until 2023. View ahschools.us/taximpact for your specific tax impact; approx. $10/month for residents with a $250,000 property value.)
• Referendum phone hotline: 763-506-7777
• Referendum email hotline: Referendum2021@ahschools.us

School board election

There are three Anoka-Hennepin School Board seats up for election in sub-districts three, four and six. Find where you vote on the MN Secretary of State pollfinder website and learn more about the 2021 School Board election. 

The League of Women’s Voters hosted a candidate forum October 14. View the “Meet the Candidates” forum online.

Questions? Feedback?

Answers to questions are being answered and published on the Q and A section on the Referendum 2021 website. Community members are encouraged to call or email the Referendum Hotline with questions:
Phone: 763-506-7777
Email: Referendum2021@ahschools.us