Voters Affirm Commitment to Public Schools And Reject Vouchers on November 7

A report by the People For the American Way Foundation, 2000

Executive Summary

While Election 2000 was fraught with uncertainties, perhaps more than any other election in our nation’s history, there is no misreading the voters’ will on one issue: People across the country want to support and strengthen public schools, and they’re willing to pay for it. Among education referenda voted on in various state elections this year, the most prominent were the two highly publicized and heavily financed private school voucher initiatives in Michigan and California, both of which were defeated decisively by voters. While voters turned down vouchers on November 7, voters in several states were eager to provide greater resources for their public schools.