Referendum Strategies & Community Surveys
State and local governments, school districts and other entities conducting operating, facility and bond referenda need accurate data and constituent feedback to be successful on election day. To execute an effective campaign and get the “yes” votes needed to pass a referendum, policy makers need to strategize on what to put on the ballot – and how.
Run your referendum with Baker Tilly’s Value Architects™ who understand how to help you prepare, plan and implement a winning campaign.
We help organizations solve referendum challenges with:
of our clients passed their referendum on election day in the last five years
ballot measures that used our survey methodology passed their referendum on election day in the last three years
The end deliverable to your leadership is a comprehensive, yet flexible planning model of analytical and strategic resources intended to maximize the potential for a successful election. Survey data and results by demographic groups provide decision makers with a feasibility analysis of the ballot question content and voter tax tolerance. Aligning the ballot proposal with community values and its willingness to pay result in better outcomes on election day.
“We were very pleased with the Baker Tilly survey services. The incredibly high levels of professionalism and survey knowledge of the Baker Tilly team helped us every step of the way in developing a high-quality communication tool. We plan to use this tool to communicate again and again with members of our community over a period of years to continue to gather important longitudinal feedback and constructive input regarding our efforts to best serve the community.”– Dr. Michael Redmond, Superintendent, Shakopee Public Schools
This book represents a combination of research and successful practice, presenting a comprehensive planning model for leaders preparing for and conducting school tax elections.
Don E. Lifto is a director and consultant with Baker Tilly. Previously, he was a school superintendent in Minnesota for twenty-five years, having served in rural, suburban and intermediate districts.
Barbara Nicol, APR, has more than thirty years of experience in the communications field. She founded Barbara Nicol Public Relations in 1990 and focuses her work on providing strategic and high-quality communications expertise to school districts and education-related organizations.
“In School Tax Elections: Planning for Success in the New Normal, Third Edition, Don Lifto and Barb Nicol provide a recipe for success. They offer practical, research-based advice for preparing for an election campaign, anticipating potential challenges, and managing the process to increase the chances for a successful outcome. Today, school tax referenda are often won and lost by small margins. With such little room for error, anyone involved in leading, planning and executing such an initiative should read this book carefully.”– Daniel A. Domenech, Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators
“The customer service and survey fidelity, accuracy, and support for decision making significantly enhanced our referendum efforts and is easily a major contributing factor to our success.”– Michael Baumann, Superintendent, ISD No. 194 – Lakeville Area Schools
Public school district passes referendum to improve building needs and support students and community with survey data and targeting tools