Voters will determine future of communities on Tuesday
Absentee ballots have been mailed in all communities and continue to be returned to local clerk’s office for processing. Most communities, in accordance with Michigan Election Law, will participate in the tabulation of absentee ballots received. Early voting will be available. For information regarding early voting, contact the local municipal clerk.
As in past elections, voters will be asked to show photo identification at the precinct polls when voting or,, if receiving an absentee ballot, in person at the clerk's office. A voter who does not have an acceptable picture identification or who did not bring an acceptable picture identification to the polls will be allowed to vote after signing an Affidavit of Voter Not in Possession of Picture Identification at the poll location.
Acceptable forms of picture identification include a current driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state; federal or state government-issued picture identification; Michigan driver's license or personal identification card; military identification card with a picture; student identification with a picture from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education; tribal identification card with a picture or a U.S. passport.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. for voters to make their choices. For questions regarding precinct locations, contact the local municipal clerk’s office.
In INKSTER- WAYNE-WESTLAND and sections of CANTON TOWNSHIP voters will be asked to approve the borrowing of $125 million to fund the cost of projects in the Wayne Westland School District “to create a modern learning environment for students and for health, safety, security, energy conservation and other purposes” including: remodeling, equipping, re-equipping, furnishing, re-furnishing school buildings and other facilities; acquiring and installing instructional technology infrastructure and equipment in school buildings and other facilities and preparing, developing and improving sites at school buildings and other facilities.
School officials said approval of the question will not increase the current 4.48 mills of retirement debt on tax bills. “The estimated millage that will be levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year is 2.29 mills (which is equal to $2.29 per $1,000 of taxable value); and the estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire each series of bonds is 2.58 mills annually ($2.58 per $1,000 of taxable value)” according to ballot language.
In BELLEVILLE- SUMPTER and VANBUREN voters will also be asked to approve the borrowing of $77 million which, Van Buren School District officials say, will not be an increase in the current school millage rate. The funds will be used for “erecting, furnishing, and equipping additions to school buildings and facilities; erecting, furnishing, and equipping school buildings and facilities; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings and facilities; acquiring sites; acquiring, installing, equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology; and preparing, erecting, developing, improving, and equipping playgrounds, playfields, athletic fields and facilities, structures, and sites, according to the ballot language.
“The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2026 is 0.38 mill ($0.38 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a -0- mill net increase over the prior year's levy,” the ballot language states.
Current mayors in the cities of NORTHVILLE, ROMULUS and WESTLAND are unopposed in their bids for re-election while voters will be asked to choose from a field of candidates seeking terms on the city council or commission in those communities.
In NORTHVILLE, incumbent Mayor Brian Turnbull is unopposed. Vying for the two seats on the city council are John Carter and Andrew Krenz.
In PLYMOUTH candidates seeking the four available terms on the City Commission include Joe Elliott; incumbent Jennifer Kehoe; incumbent Alanna Maguire; Kristin McHale-Johnson; incumbent Nick Moroz; Jim Mulhern; Ron Picard and Karen Sisolak.
In ROMULUS, incumbent Mayor Robert A. McCraight, incumbent City Clerk Ellen Craig-Bragg and incumbent Treasurer Stacy Paige are unopposed for reelection.
Candidates vying for the seven available seats on the Romulus City Council include incumbent Kathy Abdo; James Bullock; incumbent Harry Crout; Tony Heimberger; incumbent David S. Jones; Judy R. Kennard; Jeffrey F. Kotlarek; incumbent Celeste Roscoe; Lonetta Silas; Nychole Smith; incumbent Tina M. Talley; incumbent William J. Wadsworth; Mark R. Wilhide and Johnny Williams.
In WESTLAND Mayor Kevin Coleman is unopposed for re-election while voters will choose four candidates to serve four-year terms on the city council Vying for the four-year terms are Emily Bauman; Jim Hart; Delano Hornbuckle; Michael Londeau; Antoinette Martin; Lekisha M. Maxwell; Josh Powell and John Sullivan.
Voters will also choose two candidates to serve unexpired terms which will end Jan. 1, 2026. Candidates for the partial terms on the Westland City Council include Michael Londeau; Antoinette Martin; Lekisha M. Maxwell and John Sullivan.
