Proposition 1 split across Columbia wards; fueled to win by Fourth Ward voters

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -

While more individual voting precincts in Columbia voted against Proposition 1, big turnout in parts of west Columbia powered the measure to pass.

Results for Proposition 1, the 1% increase in Columbia's sales tax to help fund public safety, analyzed by ABC 17 News, show the race stayed tight across town. The city's six wards split evenly for the measure. The First, Second and Third wards ultimately voted against it, while the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth wards voted for it.

Precinct results also stayed close. Nineteen precincts voted against Prop 1, 18 voted for it and one precinct in the Fifth Ward ended in a tie. The only two precincts whose leading result was greater than 60% were both in Ward 1, with the rest coming in between 50% and 59%.

The Boone County Clerk's Office released more data on the August election results after certification on Monday. That includes precinct-level results, which show how specific areas of the county voted on different measures. Only two precincts shared voters from different wards.

The Fourth Ward produced the highest total votes cast for the race, as well as the biggest margin of victory for Proposition 1. The measure won in that ward by 534 votes, with 4,604 in favor and 4,064 against it. That ward, which covers parts of central, west and southwest Columbia, also featured a contested city council race on the ballot.

The First Ward, which comprises most of central Columbia and downtown, came back with the biggest margin against Proposition 1, with 331 more "no" votes than "yes." That ward also had the lowest total turnout with 2,391 people casting ballots there.