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Given ALL OF THE THINGS, space is going to be tight for tonight's coverage of the Dallas ISD bond election and board of trustee races.
So, let me hit you with a thread on here to discuss what's at stake.
1/12
So, let me hit you with a thread on here to discuss what's at stake.
1/12
Dallas ISD bond props are the last thing on the ballot for most voters in Dallas County -- and they're significant: $3.7 billion, the largest ever package from a local entity in state history.
Here's more on it, from @malloriesullivn's awesome IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGsgA6qgDQL/
2/12
Here's more on it, from @malloriesullivn's awesome IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGsgA6qgDQL/
2/12
There's two DISD trustee races up tonight.
District 2 (which covers a doughnut-shaped area around the Park Cities, including Lakewood, Preston Hollow and parts of East Dallas) involves incumbent Dustin Marshall and two challengers: Alex Enriquez and Nancy Rodriguez.
3/12
District 2 (which covers a doughnut-shaped area around the Park Cities, including Lakewood, Preston Hollow and parts of East Dallas) involves incumbent Dustin Marshall and two challengers: Alex Enriquez and Nancy Rodriguez.
3/12
The race for District 8 (which includes Love Field, Northwest Dallas and portions of Old East Dallas and South Dallas) is between two newcomers: Joe Carreón and Alicia McClung.
The winner will replace Miguel Solis, who's stepping down after seven years on the DISD board.
4/12
The winner will replace Miguel Solis, who's stepping down after seven years on the DISD board.
4/12
Few things about the board races:
Nobody knows how being placed on the Nov. ballot is going to affect the dynamics of these races. Normally, these are low-turnout races (from 1K-10K) with relatively high-information voters.
That's probably not going to be the case today.
5/12
Nobody knows how being placed on the Nov. ballot is going to affect the dynamics of these races. Normally, these are low-turnout races (from 1K-10K) with relatively high-information voters.
That's probably not going to be the case today.
5/12
These candidates have hustled to reach out to as many voters as possible (during a pandemic, no less).
But in an election propelled by unprecedented turnout for the presidential race, it's possible that a majority of voters won't know a thing about any DISD candidate.
6/12
But in an election propelled by unprecedented turnout for the presidential race, it's possible that a majority of voters won't know a thing about any DISD candidate.
6/12
So something like gender, ethnicity, or ballot position could play a role in helping uninformed voters make their choice. Or, maybe folks sit out the school board races, if they don't know about the candidates.
Hard to say at this point.
7/12
Hard to say at this point.
7/12
That said, I don't think there's a question that the number of voters who will participate in the DISD school board races will be the largest ever in district history. Tenfold or more.
8/12
8/12
Now, that big turnout is exactly what Dallas superintendent Michael Hinojosa was hoping for RE: the bond election, surmising that a large Blue turnout in Dallas would also be largely supportive of public schools.
9/12
9/12
And yet, the ballot language now mandated by the Texas Legislature on school bonds, which reads "THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE," could change that dynamic.
Especially if messaging from DISD et al hasn't reached enough voters about how it isn't really a tax increase.
10/12
Especially if messaging from DISD et al hasn't reached enough voters about how it isn't really a tax increase.
10/12
Also, the District 2 race is particularly intriguing.
It's typically the largest turnout for any DISD race, candidates raised nearly a half-million dollars (propelled by the incumbent Marshall), and the winner needs a majority of votes -- meaning a runoff is in play.
11/12
It's typically the largest turnout for any DISD race, candidates raised nearly a half-million dollars (propelled by the incumbent Marshall), and the winner needs a majority of votes -- meaning a runoff is in play.
11/12
The DMN's Ed Lab ( @EmilyJDonaldson and me) will have coverage of the Dallas school board races, and @JamieDHancock's team will focus on the suburbs (looking at the TRE in Garland, and other notable board races, including DeSoto).
Stay tuned.
12/12
Stay tuned.
12/12
