At the polls in Detroit. (WWJ Photo/Vickie Thomas)
LANSING (WWJ) - Voters across Metro Detroit are heading to the polls Tuesday to voice their choice in Michigan’s primary elections.
While voters in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties will be deciding federal, state and local political races and a millage to support the Detroit Institute of Arts, there are several other local ballot proposals to be voted on. Many involve police and fire operations.
In Oakland County, eight communities are seeking millage renewals and/or increased taxes for police and fire departments.
• Berkley voters will decide a three mill tax increase for police protection.
• Rochester Hills is asking for a renewal and additional taxes for police operations.
• Orion Township voters will decide renewals along with an additional tax for police operations.
• Along with police and fire tax questions, White Lake Township voters will cast ballots on a tax proposal for parks and recreation.
• Hazel Park School District residents will decide an eight million dollar bond issue for remodeling school buildings and athletic fields.
• And there is a countywide vote on a millage renewal for SMART, the bus system that serves the elderly, disabled and general public.
In Wayne County, there is a countywide vote on Proposal J which is a renewal of the jail millage. If approved, the tax would generate about $39 million dollars a year.
• Redford Township and Huron Township are asking residents to increase taxes to pay for police and fire operations.
• Westland is asking voters to approve a new tax to keep the library open.
• Livonia resident will decide a tax renewal for road construction.
• In Highland Park, voters will decide if they want a revision of the city charter.
• Riverview Schools is asking voters to approve a $32 million bond issue for school additions and new technology.
• River Rouge and Romulus schools have millage renewals on the ballot.
In Macomb County, voters will be asked to renew a tax to continue funding programs and services for veterans.
• Along with the DIA millage, voters across the county will be asked to renew a tax to continue funding programs and services for veterans.
• Warren voters will be asked to approve a tax increase for police and fire. Officials predict layoffs if the millage fails.
• New Haven residents will vote on a tax increase for police services.
• Eastpointe voters will decide a tax increase for library operations as well as two city charter questions.
• Harrison Township and Washington Township are asking for police and fire tax renewals.
• Bruce Township and Washington Township are asking voters to approve tax renewals for parks and recreation.
Despite sunny skies and warm temperatures, voter turnout has been lackluster on this Primary Election Day.
“That’s generally the way it goes in primary elections as only the passionate people about politics bother to show up on both sides of the political spectrum,” said WWJ Lansing Chief Tim Skubick.
Along with various local, state and federal races, we’ll be watching primaries for U.S. Senate, and Congressional Districts.
In Detroit, many people are voting on the hotly contested 13th and 14th Congressional District races, as well as the Detroit Institute of Arts millage proposal.
But city clerk Janice Winfrey said, Tuesday afternoon, voter turnout in the city was particularly low.
“When we look at ABs, and there is a formula that we use, we can determine, by the number of absentee ballots that come in, that we count, to what election day turnout will be,” Winfrey said. “And, so, unfortunately it’s looking somewhere between 10 and 15 percent. But, maybe … maybe we’ll get more.”
Do you know where to vote? Find your polling place and a sample ballot at this link. There, you’ll also find an election calendar, absentee voter information and instructions on how to use voting equipment.
Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for complete election coverage and results throughout the evening.
U.S. Senate, House, and State House election results will be found here.
Find local election results by county at the following links:
