Voters Approve Splost

SPLOST supporters are breathing a sigh of relief after today’s voting results were announced this evening.

Muscogee County residents can expect to see a lot of changes being made within the school system not that the SPLOST has passed.

Campaign supporters were stationed at their headquarters tonight off of Macon Road waiting for results. Now that the tax has passed, major projects can get started. Some of them include 5 new schools: A new Carver High School, Middle School, 2 Elementary Schools,and an Academy.

Doctor Susan Andrews says they will begin working on these projects as early as tomorrow morning. But not everyone is excited about the outcome of the SPLOST vote. One non-supporter says he has found flaws in Andrews Campaign for SPLOST and he wants it exposed.

“I’m so thrilled, you put a vision in front of people and they will follow that vision when they think it’s good for children, good for the community,“ says Andrews.

Bert Coker who has voiced his opposition to SPLOST says “Maybe Dr. Andrews heart will change and she will become ethical and do the right thing and help the kids and if they do that it will be for a good purpose but I don’t see it right now, they way the campaign was conducted.“

The elections office reported that voter turnout for SPLOST was low, but they say it is common when voting for these type of single taxes.

The Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax will go into effect in January, and remain in effect for 5 years, or until the school district collects $223 dollars.

It has been 6 years since a school SPLOST has been voted on. Because of that, many efforts have been made to get people to go out and vote.

Voting began at 7:00 a.m., and director of elections and voter registration Nancy Boren says turnout at the heavily voted precincts has been slow but steady.

Boren says regardless of how you vote,it is important that you cast your ballot today.

“We hope that everyone who has the ability to vot get’s out to cast their vote, it’s very important to have decision making power in your community.“ says Boren.

Stay tuned to news three for tonight’s turnout. For a list of voter precincts click here.