McClain County voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, to decide whether to make permanent an existing half-cent county sales tax, split between two key areas: public safety and essential county services.
The special election, approved by the Board of County Commissioners during a July 9 meeting, includes two separate propositions:
• Proposition 1 asks voters to permanently extend three-fourths of the existing half-cent sales tax (0.375%) for public safety purposes. This includes funding for the county sheriff’s department, emergency management services, rural fire departments, and related facilities or operations.
• Proposition 2 would make the remaining one-fourth (0.125%) permanent to support essential county services, including 4-H programs, OSU extension services, senior centers, the county free fair, economic development, and public facilities.
Officials emphasize that no new taxes would be introduced — the vote is only to make portions of an existing tax permanent starting January 1, 2028. Both measures also allow the county to pledge the revenue toward debt service, if needed.
Polling places will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day, with all regular precinct locations open. The McClain County Election Board will oversee the vote and certify results.
Commissioners Wilson Lyles and Terry McDaniel approved the election call during a County meeting on July 9, citing the importance of stable funding for critical services. Commissioner Glen Murray was absent from the July 9 meeting.
COMMISSIONERS:
Have published a legal notice for 4 consecutive weeks
The county clerk has published formal notice of the election for four consecutive weeks, as required by law. These legal publications appear in today’s issue of the Newcastle Pacer on page 8. They have published the last three weeks.
For more information about the election, see stories in this issue of the Newcastle Pacer, or contact the McClain County Election Board.
