After last year’s record-breaking turnout at school board elections, candidates were eager to mobilize voters to turn out in support once again.
But as the preliminary results began to trickle in from across the state Tuesday night, it became clear that this election cycle did not have the same reach.
First State Action Fund Executive Director Laurisa Schutt said she only saw a “slow trickle” of voters at polling places on Tuesday instead of last year’s lines. However, she pointed out that last year, voters were also mobilized in response to masking and school closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Without these same key issues – as well as fewer races in larger districts – it’s “not surprising” that turnout decreased.
BACKGROUND:School board races are supposed to be nonpartisan, why have they become so political?
At the same time, Schutt said those Delawareans who did turn out to vote were “really divided” along party lines in what is supposed to be a nonpartisan election. Preliminary results alone showed none of the usual landslides, and some races came down to less than 100 votes.
These voters also tended to be older residents rather than families and parents, Schutt said, which presents a “challenge going forward” when it comes to engagement.
“School boards are really the nexus of community building,” she said.
The full election results and voting breakdowns can be found on the Delaware Board of Elections website.
Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman.
