Today’s General Elections in Dakota County — Nov. 4, 2025
Published: November 4, 2025
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA - Today is Election Day for the fall 2025 general elections in Dakota County. Residents in five school districts across the county are casting ballots on important school board seats and funding questions.
Polls Are Open Today
Voting runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at your assigned polling place.
Check your polling location online at the official state voting site, which you can find here: https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov/
What’s on the Ballot
Voters will decide a mix of school board seats and levy/referendum issues in the following districts:
Rosemount‑Apple Valley‑Eagan Public Schools (ISD 196): Election for three at-large school board seats, one special board seat, and a capital project levy referendum.
Farmington Area Schools (ISD 192): A referendum asking for an increase in per-pupil revenue.
Cannon Falls Area Schools (ISD 252): A referendum proposing additional per-pupil revenue.
Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194): A special school board election plus renewal of a capital projects levy.
Hastings Public Schools (ISD 200): A special school board election.
Key Funding Measures
In ISD 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan), the measure asks voters to approve a capital project levy at 5.015% of the district’s net tax capacity, generating an estimated $15.4 million annually starting in 2026 for ten years, with the funds to be used for safety/security systems, digital curriculum, network upgrades, tech support and expansion of computer science & career technical education. A “YES” vote would result in a property tax increase.
In ISD 192 (Farmington), the proposed referendum would raise general education revenue by $1,236.60 per pupil beginning with taxes in 2026 and span ten years, with inflation adjustments starting 2027. A “YES” vote would raise property taxes.
In ISD 252 (Cannon Falls), the referendum proposes $950 per pupil initially for 2026 taxes, lasting ten years unless reduced by law; a “YES” vote again means higher property taxes.
In ISD 194 (Lakeville), voters are asked to renew an existing capital projects levy of 2.981% of net tax capacity (expiring after taxes payable in 2025). If approved, it would raise about $4.4 million annually beginning 2026 for ten years (≈ $44 million total) and support technology, security, STEM programs, etc. Officials point out this is a renewal, not a tax-rate increase.
Why It Matters
These decisions will shape how local districts fund technology upgrades, safety improvements, advanced programming and staffing for the next decade. School board seats determine governance direction, and levy questions affect both district resources and property tax obligations.
Where to Find More Information
For district-specific candidate and ballot measure details, you can visit each school district’s election page, which we have linked below.
For broader county-level voting guidance, including polling place lookup, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State or Dakota County Elections & Voting webpages.
Written by: Will Wight
Photo Provided by Dakota County, Minnesota Facebook Page.
