Strong support in downtown Des Moines helped DMPS bond measure pass

Des Moines Public Schools successfully passed a $265 million bond measure, largely due to strong support from downtown voters, where over 93% favored the initiative. The bond will fund the district's Reimagining Education plan, overcoming challenges from recent leadership turmoil. City council races in Ankeny and Des Moines were tightly contested, highlighting the impact of voter turnout in local elections. Voter participation in the downtown area remained relatively high, aiding the bond's approval despite a general decline in turnout across Des Moines. In addition to the bond's success, other school funding measures in surrounding areas also gained approval, totaling over $130 million in Ankeny and West Des Moines.

Notably, while education measures thrived, a proposed courthouse bond in Dallas County did not pass. This reflects a broader trend in Iowa, where voters in the last three years approved over $1 billion in school funding across multiple districts. The clear delineation in Johnston's school board race further illustrated the political dynamics at play, with voters decisively favoring candidates who were not embroiled in controversy.