Washington County voters Tuesday, June 29, approved both amendments to the Iowa constitution, as well as a 50-cent surcharge on telephone bills to help finance E911 service and equipment update. The unofficial returns are for all 14 voting precincts and for absentee ballots.

In Kalona, voters opposed both amendments, voting 185 no to 150 yes for the 60 percent majority and 181 no to 148 yes for the spending limit. The surcharge passed 182 to 147.

Countywide, the majority amendment passed 1,818 to 1,722, but the spending limit (holding the state to 99 percent of its revenue) was tighter with 1,792 in favor to 1,721 opposed. The surcharge was approved, countywide, 1,972 to 1,539.

Voter turnout in the county (including absentee ballots) was 3,620 or 28.54 percent. In Kalona, total ballots were 335 or 18.93 percent.

Besides Kalona, precincts voting down the amendments were Highland, Riverside, Brighton (city) and all four wards in the City of Washington. In Brighton, the two measures lost by a single vote. Brighton also voted against the surcharge, 62 opposed to 49 in favor.

In Wellman, the majority amendment passed 130 to 127 and the spending limit 127 to 126. The surcharge vote was 366 in favor to 270 opposed.

As of press time, statewide both amendments were failing with 55 percent of the returns in.