UPDATED- Wednesday 5/5/21 4:50 p.m.:
KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Tuesday, May 4 marked the May election in Michigan, and several items were on the ballots for southwest Michigan communities. Voter turnout was low, as most counties had only one or two items on local ballots. Actual turnout ranged as high as over 30% in some rural areas with school bond issues on the ballot, to as low as under 1% in some urban precincts. Below are the unofficial election results for high profile proposals with all precincts reporting.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY:
Kalamazoo County voters renewed a school funding millage last night for KRESA. It was the fourth time on the ballot for the Special Education renewal. Kalamazoo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rita Raichoudhuri says voter approval will mean about $12.5-million countywide to help children with special needs.
“Because this is a renewal, it will not cause an increase in tax rates. They would pay based on the taxable value of their home, typically half of the house market value.”
She says such programs are mandated by the state, but no additional funding is included for them by the legislature. If the ballot item had lost, districts would have been forced to cut other programs to fund special education. It was approved by a wide, nearly 2 to 1 margin.
Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency Millage Renewal –
- YES – 18,670
- NO – 10,645
Voters in the Galesburg-Augusta School District may have gone to bed Tuesday night thinking they approved a $15 million school improvement bond issue. But when the mail-in ballots were counted in the early morning hours, it came up just two votes short. The Board of Canvassers will meet Thursday to certify the count, but it could be subject to a recount if there is a challenge of the results.
Wednesday afternoon, WOOD TV reported that school officials in Galesburg will regroup and consider any further actions. More on that can be viewed here.
Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Bond Proposal –
- YES – 803
- NO – 805
CALHOUN COUNTY:
In Calhoun County, there was a pair of proposals for school districts. One involved Battle Creek Public Schools, asking to borrow $44.8 million to remodel and add new school buildings. It was voted down by a narrow margin.
Battle Creek Public Schools Bonding Proposal –
- YES – 937
- NO – 975
The Lakeview School District was looking for $47 million dollars for various expansions and upgrades. This proposal passed by a large margin.
Lakeview School District School Improvement Bond Proposal –
- YES – 1,640
- NO – 965
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY:
An attempt to shut down the sale of recreational marijuana in Constantine was defeated by a large 5 to 1 margin. Last year, the village voted to issue licenses to recreational marijuana businesses, which upset a group of local anti-marijuana activists. They had collected enough signatures to put a ban on marijuana sales on the ballot, but it didn’t even come close to passing. This means the lone dispensary in town will keep operating, with others expected to open in the future.
Constantine Marijuana Ordinance –
- YES – 74
- NO -396
ALLEGAN COUNTY:
The largest school request on area ballots yesterday was an $87-million bond issue proposed by Allegan School officials. It eventually succeeded last night after trailing much of the evening. The mail-in ballots put it over the top though at 54% to 46%.
- YES – 1,308
- NO – 1,107
—Brandon James contributed to this report—
