Nearly 80% of 109 millage proposals pass in the seven-county SEMCOG region
In a midterm election season featuring persistent conversations about affordability, voters in Southeast Michigan and across the state sent a clear message to community leaders last week: support remains strong (79.8% pass rate) for local services funded by millage renewals and increases.
Last week’s millage proposal success rate was 1% higher than in November 2024. Within the results, there were some noteworthy takeaways based on the type of millages considered by voters.
Support for public safety improves from August primary
Public safety millages are typically some of the most successful millage requests. Support for both renewals and increases was softer than typical in the August primary, but last week’s election represented a partial return to expectations:
- All 11 public safety millage renewals were approved by voters last week
- 9 of 13 (69%) public safety millage increases were approved
In the August primary, police and fire millage renewals were approved at a rate of 81%, while increases for these services succeeded at a rate of just under 65%.
| November 2026 Public Safety Millage Renewal | ||
| Total Passed | 11 | 100.0% |
| Total Failed | 0 | 0.0% |
| November 2026 Public Safety Millage Increase | ||
| Total Passed | 9 | 69.2% |
| Total Failed | 4 | 30.8% |
The region’s sole public safety bond – a West Bloomfield Township proposal to borrow $50 million for acquiring, constructing, furnishing and equipping township facilities, including a fire station and a township police department building – also passed.
| November 2026 Public Safety Bond | ||
| Total Passed | 1 | 100% |
| Total Failed | 0 | 0% |
Road millage increases receive mixed support
All five road millage renewals in the region were approved by voters last week, but Southeast Michigan voters split on four road millage increases, with two passing and two failing. In the August primary, all 11 road millage requests (including renewals and increases) were successful.
| November 2026 Road Millage Renewal | ||
| Total Passed | 5 | 100% |
| Total Failed | 0 | 0% |
| November 2026 Road Millage Increase | ||
| Total Passed | 2 | 50% |
| Total Failed | 2 | 50% |
“Other” November 2026 millage renewals succeed, while increase requests see mixed results
All but one of the region’s seven “other” millage renewals were approved. Voter support split evenly (4-4) on the region’s “other” millage increases. Here is a breakdown of those millage requests, with details for each:
| Community | County | “Other” Millage Renewal Description | Result |
| Mott Community College (Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Oakland) | Livingston, Oakland | 0.6152 mill for community college purposes. Renews current millage for 10 years. | Passed |
| Macomb County | Macomb | Renews 0.069 mill and restores 0.0017 mill lost to Headlee rollbacks for veterans services | Passed |
| Macomb County | Macomb | Replaces 0.95 mill for the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation with a new 0.94 mill levy for five years | Passed |
| Macomb County | Macomb | Renews 0.0922 mill and restores 0.0078 mill lost to Headlee rollbacks to support the Detroit Zoo for 10 years | Passed |
| Estral Beach | Monroe | Extend 2 mills for 4 years for flood control measures | Failed |
| Oakland County Zoological Authority | Oakland | Renew 0.10 mill for ten years to support animal care for more than 2,000 animals and 200 species, educational and senior programs and facility maintenance at the Detroit Zoo. | Passed |
| Wayne County | Wayne | 0.10 mill for zoological services through the Wayne County Zoological Authority. Restores and renews current millage for 10 years. | Passed |
| Community | County | “Other” Millage Increase Description | Result |
| Harrison Township | Macomb | 0.3 mill for four years to provide matching funds for grants from federal, state or county agencies and private foundations | Failed |
| Estral Beach | Monroe | Additional 2 mills for 4 years for supplemental flood control measures | Failed |
| Oakland Township | Oakland | Renew the previously approved 0.1580 mills for a period of ten years to provide funds for the construction and maintenance of a network of safety paths, trails and boardwalks to provide healthy recreational opportunities and safe routes to schools, parks and neighborhoods in the township and for the acquisition of property and right-of-way for such purposes. | Passed |
| Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority | Oakland | Levy a tax of 0.2 mill ($0.20 per $1,000 of taxable value) on taxable property to provide revenue for Historical Museums. | Passed |
| Emmett Township | St. Clair | 0.6911 mill for township purposes. Increases current millage by 0.3089 mill for 20 years. | Failed |
| Lincoln Park | Wayne | 17.17 mill (up to 20.0 mill) for general operating expenses. | Failed |
| Riverview | Wayne | $10,000,000 for road improvements, water main replacements, including interests in land, necessary rights-of-way and appurtenances and attachments. | Passed |
| Wayne County | Wayne | 0.2 mill for Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority. New tax is proposed for 10 years. | Passed |
School bond approvals mostly successful
Most of the region’s proposed School bonds were approved by voters, with 77% passing.
| November 2026 School Bond Proposals | ||
| Total Passed | 10 | 76.9% |
| Total Failed | 3 | 23.1% |
School operating millage renewals and increases were universally approved by voters in the region.
Additional Southeast Michigan takeaways:
- Parks and recreation millage renewals (7) and increases (2) passed universally, though the region’s sole parks and recreation bond to fund construction of non-motorized pathways in Commerce Township was rejected by voters.
- Public works bonds split 1-1 last week, with a successful proposal in Romeo for street improvements and an unsuccessful request in New Baltimore for city hall and fire station improvements.
- Library millage renewals (2) and increases (3) passed universally across the region.
- The region’s sole sinking fund millage renewal was approved, while three of four sinking fund millage increases were rejected by voters.
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