State by state comparison of school bond election administration

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The following is a table comparing all states that conduct school bond and tax elections on elections administration.

For a detailed explanation on how elections are administered, please see State-by-state comparison of school bond and tax laws

Explaining table of metrics

• Cool-off period-Do states require school districts to wait before issuing another ballot question to the voters in the event of the question's defeat.
• Special elections restrictions-Do states place restrictions on special elections from an outright ban to restricting when they can be held.
• Election Process-Do states have a clear process for school districts seeking bond elections from required notice to when the election can be held.

State-by-state comparison table

State	Cool-off	Spec. Election Restrictions	Election Process
Alabama	d	d-Most elections run the same as special elections regardless of date.	d
Arizona	d	d-Local authorities run special elections.	d
Arkansas	d	a-Requires approval of State Commissioner of Education	a-
Colorado	d	a-Colorado law bans special elections.	a
Connecticut	d	d	d
Delaware	d	d-All elections run as special elections regardless of date.	d
Florida	a-Six month cool-off for defeated referendums.	a-Only on discretion of county elections supervisor.	a
Georgia	d	d-All elections run as special elections regardless of date.	a-
Idaho	d	d-No special election restrictions.	a-
Illinois	d	a-Judge approval needed	a
Indiana	a-One year for defeated ballot measures.	a-Only on an emergency basis.	d
Iowa	a-60 days for defeated bond measures.	d-All elections run as special elections regardless of date.	a-
Kansas	a-School districts cannot have more than one special election a year.	a-Cannot be held 60 days before or after a statewide general election.	a-
Kentucky	d	d	d
Louisiana	d	a-Louisiana bans special elections.	d
Maine	d	a-Only via citizen petition	a
Michigan	d	a-Only four election dates allowed by law	a-
Minnesota	d	a-Only on approval from State Commissioner of Education	a-
Missouri	d	d	d
Nebraska	a-30 days for levy and 50 days for bond elections after a successful resolution is submitted.	a-Can only be held on dates specified by law.	d
Nevada	d	a-Only if a school board or elections authority declares an emergency need.	d
New Jersey	d	a-Elections can be held only on dates specified by law.	a
New Mexico	d	d-As long there is 50 days notice	a
New York State	d	d	a .
North Carolina	a-45 days notice must elapse after a successful special election resolution.	a-On approved resolution with County Elections Board and election cannot be held 30 days before or after a statewide general or primary election.	d
Ohio	d	a-Only can be held on dates specified by law.	a-
Oklahoma	a-Four months for defeated bond measures only	a-Only can be held on dates specified by law.	d
Oregon	d	a-Only can be held on dates specified by law or emergency approval from district elections authority	a-.
Pennsylvania	a-155 days for measures under the Local Government Unit Debt Act of 1996	a	a
South Carolina	d	d-All elections run as special elections regardless of date	a-
South Dakota	d	a-Only by petition.	d
Texas	d	a-Must have 62 days notice.	a-
Utah	d	a-Only on specified dates.	d
Virginia	a-4 Years for defeated bond referendums.	a-Cannot be held the same date of a general election and must have 55 days notice.	d
Washington State	d	a-Only on specified dates or special approval for emergencies.	d-
West Virginia	d	d	a
Wisconsin	d	d	a
Wyoming	d	d	d

See also

• Voting on school bond and tax measures
• State-by-state comparison of school bond and tax laws