HOLYOKE — In a vote that all but kills or seriously delays an effort to build two new middle schools, residents on Tuesday rejected a ballot question on a debt exclusion override that would have paid for the city’s share of the project.

Unofficial results showed over 64% voting against the ballot question, with 4,872 no votes and 2,694 yes votes.

“This was an overwhelming victory for all people of Holyoke. This victory sends a powerful message to Boston that they run our schools and they need to provide the money Holyoke’s children deserve," said Kevin Jourdain of the ballot committee Keep Holyoke Affordable for All, which opposed the question.

The vote means the city must decline $75.8 million in funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which would have paid for roughly 60% of the estimated $132 million construction project.

With the city going back to the drawing board on the middle school plan, Jourdain called for a more inclusive process that protects the city’s renters, homeowners and businesses, and “a process that improves our schools and also addresses all the needs of our city on a budget our city can actually afford.”

Kristen Elechko, who led the Yes to Invest/Invertir campaign, said that while the results were disappointing, she thanked residents, business and community leaders who spoke in favor of the debt exclusion initiative.

“We wholeheartedly believe in the right for every single child to receive an excellent education in Holyoke and will work tirelessly with families and our community to develop a solution that works for all of Holyoke,” Elechko said.

Ward 3 Councilor David Bartley was reelected to his seat, defeating Dennis Birks, the ward’s School Committee representative. Bartley also won the September preliminary, with Birks placing second and Ann Thalheimer finishing third.

Bartley drew 860 votes to Birks’ 537.

In statement, Bartley said, “I am humbled and honored. My team worked very hard Thank you all Ward 3. Looking forward to serving Holyoke and my hometown the next two years.”

Rebecca Birks won the Ward 3 School Committee race, defeating Marc Hickey and claiming the seat previously held by her husband.

In Ward 4 City Council race, Libby Hernandez defeated Michael Siciliano, a former mayoral candidate. Incumbent Jossie Valentine, who manages U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential operation in Massachusetts, did not seek another term.

Hernandez garnered 444 votes versus Siciliano’s 193.

Ward 5 Councilor Linda Vacon easily held off challenger Jens. M. Michaelson. Ward 7 Councilor and Council President Todd McGee, Ward 1 Councilor Gladys Lebron-Martinez, Ward 2 Councilor Terence Murphy and Ward 6 Councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos ran unopposed.

In the at large council races, veteran Councilors Joseph M. McGiverin, James Leahy, Peter Tallman, Rebecca Lisi and Michael Sullivan maintained their seats. With Councilor Dan Bresnahan stepping aside, the council welcomed back former councilor Howard Greaney.

Tallman placed atop the at-large ballot, followed by McGiverin, Sullivan, Leahy, Lisi and Greaney.

At-large opponents included Wilmer E. Puello-Mota, Deborah K. Aloisi, Michelle Trousil, Israel Rivera, Jordan M. Lemieux and Nelson Lopez.

Before Tuesday’s election, at-large candidate Michelle Trousil withdrew, citing a family illness. However, her name remained on the ballot and drew votes.

For School Committee, Ward 4 incumbent Irene G. Feliciano-Sims beat Faizul Sibdhanny Jr. for the seat.

Incumbents Mildred I. Lefebvre (Ward 1), Rosalee Tensely Williams (Ward 2), William R. Collamore (Ward 6), and Nyles Courchesne (Ward 7) were unopposed. John G. Whelihan secured the Ward 5 race with no opposition.

Incumbent Erin Brunelle was the sole at-large School Committee candidate.