Friday, February 9, 2024

Last November, voters in Trumpy Iowa county choose to keep their public library independent

 
3rd party votes:  14.3% n 1992, 7.5% in 1996, 7.7% in 2016
(Alabama segregationist George Wallace 
received 5.9% of the vote in 1968)


% of population 25 and older with bachelor's degree:
  • 31.7% - Marion County
  • 30.3% - Iowa
  • 34.3% - U.S.
% of population 65 and older:
  • 18.5% - Marion County
  • 18.5% - Iowa
  • 17.3% - U.S.
% of population living in poverty:
  •   8.1% - Marion County
  • 11.0% - Iowa
  • 11.5% - U.S. 

About 51% of voters cast ballots against a measure to give City Hall officials oversight of the library's actions and budget, according to unofficial results. The non-binding referendum reached the ballot after some residents petitioned the library board to remove a graphic novel about gender fluidity, mirroring a national debate driven by conservatives over what books taxpayer-funded libraries should carry. 
Just 87 votes separated the two sides, according to unofficial results. 
"I feel the same way I did after I defended my doctoral dissertation," said Anne Petrie, a retired Central College professor of music and treasurer for the Vote NO To Save Our Library committee. "It's not euphoria. It's relief."


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