Naples, FL — Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) released a new paper titled “Off Cycle, Out of Mind: Why School Board Elections Should Be Held with Statewide Elections.” The paper outlines the reasons why states currently holding school board elections in off-cycle years should make the switch to amplify the voices of their voters. Currently some or all school board elections are held in off-cycle years in 37 states across the country.
The report makes it clear that off-cycle elections significantly reduce turnout and give more power to special interest groups due to a diminished voter pool. On-cycle elections would provide nearly three times as many voters and amplify the voices of the community–not those of special interest groups or individuals.
“Off-cycle school board elections reduce voter turnout and muffle the voice of the community. The timing of an election is the single largest predictor of voter turnout and lawmakers should strive to hold elections when people can best have their voices heard,” said FGA President and CEO Tarren Bragdon. “Aligning school board elections with statewide elections will allow for greater turnout and better reflect the will of the communities the elections will affect.”
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The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a non-profit, multi-state think tank that promotes public policy solutions to create opportunities for every American to experience the American Dream. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.
