Iowa’s November 2025 city and school elections are quickly approaching, and voters will see 56 bond proposals on ballots across the state. Altogether, these measures seek approval for more than $1.7 billion in new borrowing.

It’s important to remember that local governments repay debt with property taxes. While some districts claim they will “keep the rate the same,” the reality is that property taxes will still be higher than they otherwise would be without this new debt—often for the next two decades.

Where Are the Bonds Coming From?

Of the 56 proposals:

• 42 are from K–12 school districts
• 10 are from cities
• 2 are from counties
• 2 are from community colleges

Not surprisingly, school bonds make up the majority of the total borrowing requested.

Notably, the Des Moines Independent School District is asking for $265 million—the largest school bond in Iowa’s history.

How Does This Compare to Past Elections?

Since Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation began tracking local bond elections in March 2023, this November’s ballot features the largest number of bond proposals to date.

A key reason is a change in Iowa state law (HF 718, 2023). This legislation restricted bond elections to November only, with the goal of boosting voter turnout for issues directly tied to property taxes. Prior to this change, local governments could hold bond elections on multiple dates throughout the year.

Here’s a snapshot of recent election cycles:

• March 2023 (last special election): 22 bond questions, 29.7% voter turnout, 59% passage rate
• November 2023: 45 bond questions, 34.1% turnout, 48% passage rate
• November 2024: 48 bond questions, 70.9% turnout, 42% passage rate
• November 2025: 55 bond questions on the ballot

With even more proposals this year, voter turnout will be critical in determining how much additional borrowing—and long-term property tax obligations—are approved.

November 2025 Bond Proposals

A detailed table of the 2025 bond proposals is provided below. For more information about the local governments pursuing these measures, use the menu at the top of this page to find your city, county, or school.