While many of you may be waiting for the November Presidential Election, I want to encourage you to have your voice heard by getting out this week and voting in the West Ada School District supplemental levy election.

The West Ada School District is proposing to renew its existing supplemental levy for each of the next two years. The levy is for $14 million a year and will be used for the school district’s maintenance and general operations. To learn more about the levy, you can visit the West Ada website here: (https://www.westada.org/domain/9802).

According to the West Ada website, if district patrons vote to renew the supplemental levy for two more years, the revenue will fund the district’s current levels of operation and maintenance. Specifically, it will help maintain the current number of school days, current level of staffing, and the district’s current programs. If the community does not renew the current supplemental levy, West Ada will make adjustments in its budget to account for the reduced funding. Ultimately, the choice is ours.

Early voting has already begun, and can be done in person at City Hall through August 21, 2020. In my opinion, there are few more rewarding feelings than walking into a polling location and filling in those little bubbles. I do want to remind you to be courteous of other voters and volunteers and be sure to wear a mask and keep your distance if you choose to vote in person. If you’d rather cast your ballot from the comfort of your couch, you can request an absentee ballot, but need to do so by August 14th. You can request an absentee ballot online HERE. However, if you are like me and like to enter the polls on election day which is Tuesday August 25, 2020, you can find your polling location by clicking HERE.

I have heard a lot about rights over the last several months. To me, voting is not only our right, but our duty, and a great freedom that so many fought hard for.  I encourage you to exercise this right after doing your research on the issue at hand. When you feel confident in your choice, please get out (or stay in) and vote. I look forward to seeing a high voter turnout in Meridian!