Voters in all seven school districts in Whatcom County, as well as the city of Ferndale, have until Tuesday, Feb. 14, to return ballots for the special election for school funding and a sales tax increase.
Ballots must be postmarked or received by Tuesday, Feb. 14, to be counted.
The school districts are asking voters to approve different types of levies - replacement measures for technology as well as maintenance and operations, and new requests to pay for technology and small renovation projects.
Blaine schools are asking for a yes vote on a $3 million bond as well, with $2.4 million of that to remodel Blaine High School's science building.
In Ferndale, voters also are being asked to increase the city's sales tax by two-tenths of 1 percent to raise money for road repairs.
The levies and sales tax need a simple majority of more than 50 percent to pass. The bond needs 40 percent voter turnout from the last general election and 60 percent approval to pass.
When voters approve a levy, they are approving the maximum amount of money a district can collect in property taxes from residents. The tax rate may fluctuate, but the bottom-line amount the district receives can't be above the approved amounts.
Voters can drop off ballots at one of the following locations until 8 p.m. Tuesday:
- Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd St.
- Deming Public Library, 5044 Mount Baker Highway.
- Everson branch of Whatcom Educational Credit Union, 106 E. Main St.
- Ferndale City Hall, 2095 Main St.
- Lynden Public Library, 216 4th St.
- Meridian Middle School, 861 Ten Mile Road, in Laurel.
- South parking lot for Whatcom County Courthouse, 201 Grand Ave. in downtown Bellingham.
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