Voters casted their ballots with overwhelming support for two nonpartisan referenda.
The $220 million Pearland Independent School District bond election passed with 61.95 percent of the vote, or 22,484 votes. Of the nearly 42,000 voters within Pearland ISD who cast their ballot during the general election, only 36,291 voiced their opinion on the measure.
"We're grateful to have such public support for our growing number of students as we ready our facilities for the decade in front of us," said Pearland ISD Superintendent John Kelly. "Based on input from those who have lived in Pearland for a long time, the large community facilities committee composed a list of projects that focused on real needs rather than "wants" and "wishes". Then a small group of people led by Dena Hanks formed a PAC that carried that message to thousands."
Pearland residents voted on another major decision—turning Pearland "wet". The local option election, which will loosen alcohol restrictions, passed by 66.24 percent of the vote, or 24,300 votes. Of the nearly 42,000 Pearland residents who voted during election night, only 36,683 elected to vote in the local option election.
Brazoria County had traditionally been a dry county until 2007, when a seprate local option election opened the door for beer and wine sales. Now, Pearland residents have further lifted laws on alocohol prohibition. The local option election will remove restrictions on the sale of alcohol for off-premise consumption only, which will open the door for liquor stores to move into Pearland.
Pearland ISD bond likely to pass, Pearland liquor restrictions may loosen
Updated: 10:13 p.m.
The $220 million Pearland ISD bond received overwhelming support and will likely pass with 62 percent of the recorded votes. Only 33 of 39 voting centers have currently reported their final results to the Brazoria County Clerk. Nearly 35,000 residents voted in the bond referendum.
The Pearland local option election, which will overturn the city's ban on liquor stores, will likely pass with 66 percent of the recorded votes. Only 33 of 39 voting centers have reported their final results to the county clerk, and 35,572 residents participated in the vote.
Preliminary election results show Pearland ISD bond, local option election ahead in the polls
Updated: 7:15
After polls closed at 7 p.m., election results for the Pearland Independent School District bond election and Pearland local option election rolled in.
A majority of preliminary results results were in favor of the $220 million bond referendum for PISD. No Election Day results have been reported, but early voting between Oct. 24 and Nov. 4 showed the bond received 62 percent of the votes, with only 38 percent of voters disapproving of the bond. 30,594 voters cast their ballot on the referendum during early election of the 61,542 eligible voters within Pearland ISD's boundaries, which means more than 55 percent of voters cast their ballot early on the bond election.
The Pearland local option election, which would overturn the city's prohibition on liquor stores, also received strong support. During early election, 66 percent of the 35,312 voters approved the measure. About 67,000 registered voters are eligible to vote on the Pearland local option election, and nearly 53 percent cast their ballot early.
Pearland ISD bond, local option election hang in the balance
Posted: 6:57 p.m.
A $220 million bond referendum for the Pearland Independent School District and a measure to overturn Pearland's liquor sales restriction is on the ballot.
With polling locations closing soon, the Brazoria County Clerk's office is busy counting votes. Election results will be posted online at www.brazoriacountyclerk.net/recorder/content/Elections/Results2012topresent.htm