FARGO - North Dakota voters appeared in incomplete and unofficial results Tuesday in favor of a measure that would prevent state and local governments from imposing taxes on real estate transactions.
With 368 of 427 precincts reporting, 76 percent of voters supported Measure 2, while 24 percent were opposed. There were 152,644 votes cast in favor and 48,225 opposed.
Realtor and Rep. Scott Louser, R-Minot, introduced the measure in response to discussions during the 2012 legislative session about lowering property taxes.
The North Dakota Association of Realtors and other supporters of the bill worried that if property taxes were reduced, municipalities may try to replace that revenue by imposing a real estate transfer tax.
"We're really pleased that North Dakota voters understood our message that we wanted to be proactive in protecting property rights and homeowners from this possible tax," said campaign coordinator Nancy R. Willis.
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Sen. Judy Lee, R-West Fargo, was one of only a few who spoke out against the measure. Her main concern was that, if approved, the measure would become part of the constitution.
"I'm a purest about the constitution because it should be the basic principles of the laws of the state that allow the Legislature to respond in ways that are appropriate depending on circumstances," she said before to the election.
She argued that there is no reason to have a law against something just because it may happen in the future.
