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I know you can’t wait to vote in this Fall’s statewide Democratic Primary, but there’s a critical election next week that we need to lend our voices to first.

On May 12th, residents of our district have a chance to choose new leaders for school boards in the Christina School District and Red Clay Consolidated School District.

School board elections often have the lowest turnout in the state (even some candidates for office this Fall have never voted in one), but these elections ultimately have some of the biggest impacts on taxpayers and our schools.

Last year, only 1,641 people voted in Red Clay’s election, and only 1,290 voted in Christina’s.

Among the many important things members of our school boards are responsible for (and one that impacts every property owner in New Castle County), is how districts set the budgets and when they call for property tax referendums to ensure our schools are properly funded.

New Castle County has proposed a property tax increase in its FY2027 Budget, which is currently under consideration by County Council. But the County’s portion of your property taxes is only 19%, the other 81% of your bill are the taxes paid to your school district.

If you’ve never voted in a school board election, now is the perfect time to start!

All eligible voters living in a school district with an election are permitted to vote in all races happening within the school district — regardless of the nominating district.

Consider this a warm-up for when we hit the polls this Fall in the Primary, and make your voice heard in Tuesday’s election.

I’ll be voting, and I hope to see you out at the polls!