No votes lead on both Wyandotte sales-tax measures

Unofficial returns from the Nov. 3 general election show no votes ahead on both Wyandotte County sales-tax measures. The countywide health-care proposal drew 19,501 yes votes and 21,849 no votes; the Kansas City, Kansas-only parks and infrastructure proposal received 16,972 yes votes and 20,223 no votes. The Stare reported all 148 precincts in.

Calculated from the vote totals, no votes led by about 5.7 percentage points countywide and 8.7 points on the Kansas City, Kansas measure. The KCK share lead was about 3.1 points wider. Comparing vote shares is more useful than comparing raw vote margins because one measure covered the county and the other only Kansas City, Kansas.

The countywide proposal would have imposed a 1/4-cent sales tax. The Beacon estimated it would raise about $12 million a year for health-care services, including mental-health services, substance-abuse treatment and temporary housing. The KCK proposal was a 3/8-cent tax for 10 years, estimated to raise about $16 million annually for parks, community centers, roads, bridges and sidewalks. If the results hold after the canvass, neither tax would take effect.

The returns are not final. The Stare reported that Kansas ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6 could still be added. The Wyandotte County Election Office has scheduled the canvass for Nov. 12.