Local Millages Successful, School Bonding Falls Short in August 6 Primary

Southeast Michigan voters broadly supported local millage and ballot proposals in Tuesday’s election, with 83% of these measures passing in the seven-county region. These overall results are consistent with statewide results, with 81% of 358 proposed millage renewals and increases passing. According to Gongwer News Service, Michigan voters weighed in on a total of 101 ballot questions – 93 for local millages, six for school bonding and two for ballot proposals.

Here are the overall results for millage and ballot proposals in Southeast Michigan:

Renewals of existing millages were popular among the region’s voters, with funding extended at current levels for libraries, parks and recreation, public safety, school operations, senior services, sinking fund, and “other” millages. Road millages were the only renewals seeing mixed results; eight road millage renewals were approved and two rejected by voters.

Results were more mixed regarding millage increases for public services, with voters approving 70% of the proposed millage increases across the region.

School bonding proposals were the only ballot question rejected in most of the Southeast Michigan districts where proposed. Of the six ballot questions for school bonding in the region, only one was approved by voters. These results lagged significantly behind the statewide success rate of school bonds, where nearly half (48%) of the 23 proposals were approved. According to Gongwer, school bond proposals typically see passage rates statewide of 80% or higher.

For individual millage descriptions and results, sorted by county and community, please see SEMCOG’s Southeast Michigan Ballot Proposal/Millage Election Results list.