Referendum Vote Fails by 382 Votes

A $17.5 million referendum to improve athletic facilities at Hanover Park High School and Whippany Park High School has failed by 382 votes.

More than 3,000 voters cast ballots in the election on whether to improve the Athletic and Physical Education Field Master Plan Project for the Hanover Park Regional High School District.

Results from polls at Whippany Park High School was key in the election results. That location had the largest margin of votes, nearly 300, opposed to the referendum.

Superintendent Carol Grossi issued a statement after results came in saying the district "will continue to struggle in keeping its fields safe and playable."

In East Hanover, however, the vote went down by only nine votes overall between the two polling locations. Hanover Township rejected the referendum by 395 votes, while Florham Park voters approved it by 22 votes. A simple majority was needed for the referendum to pass. 

The mood at board offices shifted from optimistic to somber disappointment as results came in.

In Hanover Township, 2,369 people came to the polls out of 9,714 registered voters. That is a voting rate of 24 percent, which some said was larger than in general November elections.

East Hanover had 16.3 percent of voters come out.

Turnout was described as larger than usual for school votes.