Woodbridge and Belmar passed school construction bond referendums on Tuesday, but voters in Edison and South Harrison rejected them.
The four municipalities to hold Special School Board referendums today.
Edison rejected their second referendum in three months.
A $183.2 million plan to expand school facilities and eliminate classes in temporary trailers was rejected by a 24-point margin, with 2,855 voting yes (38%) and 4,642 no votes (62%). Turnout was 12.5%.
Last December, Edison voters rejected a $189.5 million school facilities improvement referendum by a 58%-42% margin.
Belmar approved a plan to spend $9.7 million to renovate an elementary school by a vote of 543 to 261, 68%-32%. More than a quarter of the votes – 27% — were cast by mail-in ballots.
Turnout in Belmar was 18%.
Woodbridge approved a measure to spend $87.7 million to build a new elementary school by a 62%-38% margin, with 2,560 voters supporting the plan and 1,549 opposing it.
Turnout in Woodbridge was at just 6%.
A proposal to spend $1 million to replace a gym floor at a South Harrison elementary school was rejected by a 62%-38% margin, with 130 votes in favor and 211 in opposition.. The school board said the current floor contains mercury that could potentially emit harmful vapors.
Of the total votes cast, 19% were by mail. The total South Harrison turnout was 13.5%.
VBM ballots postmarked before 8 PM today will still be counted if they are returned to election officials before close of business on Thursday.
New Jersey law requires voter approval on school construction bond issues that will incur additional debt for towns. Today is one of five days throughout the year that these types of elections may be held.