Election 2011: Just the Facts

The Issue: The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District has asked voters to renew an existing levy, which was first approved in 2002. The levy generates about $10 million a year or $845.68 per pupil. Revenue generated by the levy is used for day-to-day operational expenses. The district cannot use the money to fund construction projects or capital improvements.

If approved, the existing levy would continue for another ten-year period. Officials at ISD 191 stress that voters would not see a tax increase as a result. They are not asking for a new source of revenue, but to maintain the status quo.

If voters do not approve the extension, the current levy will expire in 2013. School officials say this will leave a $10 million hole in the district's budget, which is already under strain due to financial turmoil at the state level. 

To see the ballot, click here.

The Polls: Polls open from 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The referendum does not coincide with Burnsville city elections this time around, so your polling place may have changed.

In the Burnsville area, the precincts have been consolidated into just three polling places. To find out what Burnsville precinct you are normally in, click here.

• Burnsville residents from Precincts 2, 3, 7, 11, 12, 16 and 17 will vote at Vista View Elementary School, 13109 County Road 5. 

• Burnsville residents from Precincts 4, 5, 8, and 9 will vote at Gideon Pond Elementary School, 613 East 130th Street.

• Burnsville residents from Precincts 1, 6 and 10 will vote at Sioux Trail Elementary School, 2801 River Hills Drive in Burnsville. This is also the polling place for Apple Valley residents who are in the district.

• Eagan residents within ISD 191 will vote at Cedar School, 2140 County Road 30 (Diffley Rd) in Eagan.

• If you are a resident of Savage or Shakopee, your polling place will be unchanged.

• If you're still unsure, click here for the Secretary of State's poll finder, which searches your polling place by zip code.

Registration: Voters who have not registered or recently moved can still cast a ballot on election day if they can provide proof of residence.

According to the Minnesota Secretary of State, voters must be able to produce one of the following forms of proof:

• A valid Minnesota driver’s license, Minnesota ID card, learner’s permit, or receipt for any of these.
• A valid student ID card including photo, provided that the college has provided a student housing list to election officials.
• A Tribal ID card.
• A valid registration card in the same precinct under a different name or address. 
• A notice of late registration sent by the county auditor or city clerk.
• Someone to vouch for you — a registered voter from the same precinct who can confirm your address with a signed oath.
• If you live in a nursing home or other group setting, you can bring an employee from the residential facility to confirm your address by signed oath.
• If you have recently moved, you can register if you bring a current bill with the name on your ID and current address in the precinct. Bills that are acceptable: Utility bills due within the last 30 days, a telephone, cable bill, bill for Internet service, gas bill, solid waste bill, a bill for sewer or water services or a rent statement from the last month.

You must also be able to match the name on these statements to some form of government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, United States Military ID Card, or tribal ID — though the address does not have to be the same.