Referenda Decided on Tuesday

Full Effingham County election returns are located here

Watson village residents voted to "go wet" in Tuesday's election.

A question of whether to remain a "dry" community saw 39 people vote Yes to remain "dry", while 75 people voted No to go "wet" and allow the sale of alcohol in the village.

A proposed Altamont Public Library District question failed, as it did in a previous election. Once again, residents within the city limits of Altamont voted in favor of creating the district, 228 Yes to 114 No, but those who live outside the city limits who would be a part of the district voted 63 Yes to 245 No. The measure needed to be approved both in the city and outside the city limits for the question to pass.

The Neoga school district tax hike referendum failed to pass Tuesday, losing in Cumberland County, 814 No to 418 Yes, and losing in Shelby County, 325 No to 109 Yes. If passed, the measure was expected to generate $800,000 in additional revenue for the district.

The Jasper Unit 1 school district bond referendum also went down to defeat Tuesday, 1,318 No to 864 Yes. The measure was pursued to help address reduced revenues and lower enrollment.