Low Turnout in April 5 Election

Turnout throughout Crawford County was just 8% in the April 5 municipal election.

Of the county’s 16,215 registered voters, just 1,304 showed up to cast their ballot.

There were several key issues and races that were up for a vote, but it failed to stir up the electorate.

The county’s tax question — making a one-half of 1% sales tax with a rollback of personal property and real estate tax permanent — was passed with 70% of the vote.

It is the second straight year county voters have approved a tax question after passing two in 2021.

Another tax question was in the city of Bourbon, where voters gave approval to a new use tax on online purchases made from out-of-state vendors.

See more details on both votes throughout this section.

Other 

Voters that reside in the Sullivan School District had to decide on two board members.

Challenger Jim Bartle received 95 votes. Incumbent Robby Berti took in 69 votes and incumbent Randy Stack 64.

Bartle and Stack received the most votes once all three counties were counted.

For the East Central College Board of Trustees Subdistrict No. 3, Eric Park received 205 votes. Cookie Hays received 197 votes and Jon Ceretto 150 votes.

In the city of Bourbon, Mayor Dave Lafferty was unopposed. He received 47 votes against four write-in ballots.

Ward 1 Alderman John Nelson was unopposed and received 23 votes.

Ward 2 Alderwoman Sonya Sewald received 24 votes against one write-in.

In the village of St. Cloud, Sean Flowers and Darrel Bosse each received 11 votes.

Cliff Thexton and Jordan Thexton both got six votes. Voters had to select two.

A race for the North Crawford County Ambulance’s board of directors — District No. 6 — was won by Adam Carnal. 

Carnal had 62 votes while Jason Strange received 57.