Election Results For Wayne, Oakland And Macomb Counties

DETROIT (WWJ) – The polls have closed this Election Day in metro Detroit, and with a light voter turnout the results are coming in across several counties.

Along with local city council and mayor elections, many communities voted on ballot proposals.

In Oakland County, Keego Harbor has become latest city to legalize the use of marijuana. The ballot proposal addressed the legalization, with restrictions, the use of a small amount marijuana for those 21 years old and older on private property. Similar proposals have been approved in Ferndale and Huntington Woods.

Ken Siver has defeated  Sylvia Jordan in the race for mayor of Southfield.

""I am really appreciative of the people who believe in me, and the city. I will be the people's mayor, I am very approachable - I follow through  I have only the best interest for Southfield in my heart," Siver told WWJ.

The largest bond issue in the county was before voters in the Rochester District and voters overwhelming approved. Administrators asking residents to pay more taxes and approve a $185 million bond issue to remodel schools and upgrade technology, and buy new buses. Ferndale schools sought approval of a non-homestead tax proposal that would affect businesses, but raise more than four-million dollars for operations - that proposal also won voter support.

Check Oakland County results HERE].

Proposals to fix roads and schools as well as mayoral and city council races were before voters in Wayne County.

Allen Park asking voters to approve a tax increase that would raise money for road repairs. Southgate residents approved a renewal of a millage to fund road work. Grosse Ile Township voters have to decide a nearly $19 million bond issue which would raise taxes to pay for road and water main improvements. Voters in Van Buren Township considerd a public safety millage that would raise money for police and fire. Meantime, Harper Woods residents decided a proposal that would combine the police and fire departments.

Residents in Lincoln Park said 'no' to a request for a retirement system for firefighters and police officers.

Approved: The largest school proposal in Wayne County is in the Woodhaven Brownstown District which was asking voters to approve a $57 million plan to pay for security and technology upgrades at schools as well as new school buses and playground equipment. Schoolcraft College is asking voters to approve a tax increase to raise money for operations.

A new mayor in the city of Wayne. Sue Rowe beat her challenger Tuesday evening.

In Livonia, Dennis Wright defeated Brian Meakon.

Contested Mayor races take place in Garden City, Highland Park, and Inkster.

One early voter in Southfield Tuesday morning, Charlie Gumpton, gave up precious minutes of sleep as he stopped to cast his ballot after finishing up at work on the third shift. In spite of disheartening racist fliers in mailboxes and anti-gay slurs scrawled on yard signs around the city, he wanted to make an effort.

"Those kinda things really kinda irritate me," he told WWJ's Ron Dewey. "And I want people to know it's important to do your civic duty. To me, I think it's important … I mean, we shall prevail. Right is right."

[Check Wayne County results HERE].

In Macomb County, some of the biggest local races were for mayor and city council in several cities, including Warren and Sterling Heights.

Warren Mayor Jim Fouts was re-elected to a third and final term; he'll be term-limited in the next election cycle.

Incumbent Michael Taylor has won in Sterling Heights - he was appointed earlier this year after the death of Richard Knotty.

There were bond issues on the table for Armada and Romeo schools. In Armada, school officials for a second time this year asked for a $4.1 million over 8 years for 1,200 new computers, a new phone system, security cameras and 750 laptop/tablets for the district — after a similar proposal was rejected by a narrow margin last May. This time around voters said 'yes.'

"This is how students learn these days, with mobile devices," the district's superintendent, Michael Musary told the Detroit News. "By having this new technology it will enhance our ability to make our students and staff more productive."

In Romeo, the school district asking voters to renew a construction bond for $2.1 million a year for four years for building upgrades including new roofs, security systems as well as parking lot paving. That renewal was approved.

[Check Macomb County results HERE].

[See what was on the ballot in your community at Michigan Voter Information Center].