2014 – Credibility Matters – Dallas School District

Strong community support for this district in most cases would have translated into easy passage of a $17 million bond request that did not increase the overall tax burden on its community. But the district took a calculated risk and included some key projects that the community rated as ‘low priority’ projects in survey work.…

Read More

2013 – Targeted Messaging for a Successful Election – Pendleton School District

Pendleton School District serves 3,200 students in northeastern Oregon and successfully passed a $55 million bond measure in November 2013. Using their survey results as a guide, they were able to target and deliver individual messages to specific voter blocs to reflect their community’s priorities and concerns. Lesson Learned: Strategic and targeted messaging is the…

Read More

2012 – Refocusing Voter Perception – Sublimity Fire District

Sublimity Fire District is a rural volunteer fire district that serves 44 square miles east of Salem, OR. Our experience is that fire districts are always highly regarded in the communities they serve, but passing a measure to replace fire engines can be difficult simply because they are generally very well maintained and cared for.…

Read More

2009 – Uncovering Hidden Support – Oregon Project Independence

This project was for Oregon Project Independence, a state-funded program that serves senior citizens or individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other related diseases who are challenged in their abilities to function independently. The survey work found that while very few Oregonians were aware of Oregon Project Independence and the services they provided, they strongly…

Read More

2006 – Campaign Perpetually – Bend La Pine School District

Bend La Pine School District is a relatively large district serving multiple communities in Central Oregon. Over the years this school district has learned that regular contact and communication with its community is the key to winning elections. As their communications director Julianne Repman says, “We are always in campaign mode whether we are actively…

Read More

2005 – Regular Polling Yields Big Results – Everett School District

Through consistent and regular survey research (community perception surveys and benchmark bond/levy surveys) conducted by Nelson Research, Everett School District has been consistently successful in passing multiple money measures on the same ballot. In 2005, Everett SD not only won the renewal of their operating levy with a 58.7% yes vote, they also passed a…

Read More

2004 – Listening to Community Preference – Neah-Kah-Nie School District

Located along the Oregon coast, Neah-Kah-Nie School District is a small district with only 4,422 total registered voters. Through their survey research conducted by Nelson Research, they learned residents valued replacing old/outdated buildings and providing increased educational opportunities for students. Lesson Learned: By being willing to listen and respond to the community’s priorities and sell…

Read More

2002 – Collaborative Polling Works – City of Newberg / City of Dundee / Newberg School District / Chehalem Parks & Recreation District / Yamhill County

To this day, one of the most interesting projects we’ve ever done. It is rare for government entities to come together collaboratively on a survey research project. It is even more uncommon when it comes to passing money measures. This, however, was exactly what happened here. Rather than compete on the ballot, they worked collaboratively…

Read More