Oct 27 2009
After last year's presidential race and controversial Michigan proposals, the November, 2009 election seems tame in comparison; but there are a lot of important local races and proposals on the ballot in Metro Detroit. As Detroit struggles with its economic woes, city residents will be voting in a mayor for the next four years. Voters will also make decisions that affect the Detroit City Council and Detroit Public Schools. First things first, though, we have to register to vote. Information is key and available through the 2009 Michigan Election Guide.- Voter Registration FAQs
- Michigan's Voter Information Center: The State of Michigan provides an exceptional website that allows you to determine if you are registered to vote, find your polling location and view your sample ballot.
- Local Elections in Metro Detroit:
Some cities/townships are electing new mayors or commissioners in November, while others are electing new council members and/or school board members. There are also several proposals to revise city charters and secure more funds for local services and school districts. Each county in and around the Metro-Detroit area sets out information about the candidates and proposals at the city/township level:
- Important/Controversial Races and Proposals in Detroit:
- Proposal D: City residents will choose whether or not to change the way by which members of the Detroit City Council are elected. Currently, the council members are elected at large, meaning that each voter chooses nine names from a field of candidates. The proposal would amend the city charter so that seven of the nine council members are elected by district, which could significantly change the council's makeup. For an in-depth analysis, check out the Citizens Research Council of Michigan.
- Proposal S: City residents will decide whether or not to take advantage of no-interest and low-interest, economic-stimulus bonds to build eight new schools and modernize 10 existing schools in the Detroit Public School District. In spite of the fact that the proposal isn’t supposed to raise taxes, it does have its opponents. For instance, a Detroit Free Press editorial argues that the district hasn’t proven it can properly manage or repay $500.5 million in funds, especially given the district’s past budgeting performance and declining student enrollment.
- Mayoral Election
- Proposal D: City residents will choose whether or not to change the way by which members of the Detroit City Council are elected. Currently, the council members are elected at large, meaning that each voter chooses nine names from a field of candidates. The proposal would amend the city charter so that seven of the nine council members are elected by district, which could significantly change the council's makeup. For an in-depth analysis, check out the Citizens Research Council of Michigan.
