The fate of a proposed half-cent sales tax to benefit education in Seminole County will be decided at the ballot box on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

The proposal originated from a collation that includes officials from Seminole County school districts and Seminole State College. In May, the proposal was sent to the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners for approval, and the board greenlighted it at its June 30 meeting. The approximate $11,000 cost of the election will be covered by the school districts named in the proposal.

If approved, over 90% of the collected funds will be distributed to 10 public school districts, based on average student enrollment or membership. Less than 5% of the funds will be provided to Seminole State College for capital improvements and less than 5% will benefit the District Attorney’s Child Advocacy Project in Seminole County. Schools named in the tax proposal are Bowlegs, Butner, Justice, Konawa, New Lima, Sasakwa, Seminole, Strother, Varnum and Wewoka. The Academy of Seminole would not receive any of the funds as it is technically an Oklahoma County school, although it is located in Seminole. The proposal stipulates that funds cannot be used for salaries.

If approved, the tax will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026 and will terminate on Dec. 31, 2035. A sample ballot is on page three.

Also on Tuesday, registered voters in the Town of Bowlegs will vote on renewal of a franchise agreement with Oklahoma Gas and Electric. The franchise has been in place since 1976, one year after the town was incorporated.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and voters should check their voter ID card or log onto the voter portal via the state election board website to find their precinct location. For questions, contact the Seminole County Election Board at (405) 257-2786.