2023 ISD 197 Election Results

Thanks to Southview Animal Hospital for their support.

In the ISD 197 election, both levies passed and Tim Aune, Byron Schwab, Morgan Steele, and Randi Walz won seats on the school board.

Election Results: New Levy

	Vote Totals:	Percentage:
Yes:	3,771	60%
No:	2,514	40%

Election Results: Tech Levy Renewal

	Vote Totals:	Percentage:
Yes:	4,198	66.76%
No:	2,090	33.24%

Election Results: School Board

Candidates:	Vote Totals:	Percentage:
Randi Walz	3,649	20.36%
Byron Schwab*	3,568	19.91%
Tim Aune	3,314	18.49%
Morgan Steele	3,287	18.34%
Rowen Elsmore	2,486	13.87%
Barbara Kessler**	1,315	7.34%
Write-in	301	1.68%

(winners in bold; * denotes incumbent; **dropped out in August)

Election Notes

• Turnout: Based on unofficial results, turnout looks to be 21% for the levy and 15% for the school board races. It was 22% in 2021.
• Levy margin: The levy renewal passed with 67% and the new levy passed with 60%. In 2021, the levy renewal passed with 68% of the vote.
• Wins: The levy wins mark a series of victories for ISD 197, winning referendum and bond votes in 2023, 2021, 2018, and 2016.
• Drop out: Kessler dropped out of the campaign in the first weeks, but still managed to pull in 7.34% of the vote. While nowhere near placing, it is well above the margin of victory.

More School Board Coverage

Thanks to everyone who voted, thanks to the election judges for their hard work, and thanks to the candidates for caring about our schools. The best way to celebrate our democracy is to participate in it, and we’re grateful to do our part in helping voters stay informed.

You can help us do that by supporting our member drive. If we can get 40 new members by November 19, we’ll start covering ISD 197 school board meetings. Join now to support our work.