Quarter-cent sales tax for street repairs on today’s ballot in Lincoln

Lincoln voters will decide Tuesday whether to continue a quarter-cent sales tax to pay for street projects.

The tax was originally approved in 2019 by a vote of 50.7% to 49.4% and is scheduled to end on Sept. 30.

“A vote ‘for’ would be the continuation of the ¼ of 1% sales tax,” Lancaster County Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen previously said, “and then a vote ‘against’ would be against continuing ¼ of 1% sales tax for the construction of streets in Lincoln.”

If approved, the tax will pick back up on Oct. 1.

Many people who have expressed opposition to continuing the tax say street projects don’t improve every part of Lincoln or they don’t want construction to disrupt their commute.

While there are four school board races, three for at-large City Council seats and one for Airport Authority, in addition to the ballot question, the lack of a mayoral race will likely tamp down voter turnout. 

For City Council, all three incumbents are running, and nine total candidates are vying for six spots.

Lincoln Public Schools districts one, three, five and seven are on the ballot. Only district three has more than two people contesting the race. 

In the Airport Authority race, both candidates will advance.

Wiltgen previously estimated that about 25% of voters in Lincoln are expected to vote in Tuesday’s primary.

The Lincoln General Election is May 6.