GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Voters made their way to the polls Tuesday to vote on millages, bonds and local offices in West Michigan.
Here are the outcomes of some of the big races News 8 was following:
In the state Legislature, two Democratic representatives from the Detroit area won mayoral races in their districts. This means they will have to leave the state Legislature, It also eliminates Democrats’ outright majority in the state House and splits the chamber 54-54 — at least in the interim before special elections are held to fill the vacated seats.
On its third try, the Patmos Library in Jamestown Township passed a renewal of its millage. It has failed twice before over community objections to LGBTQ-themed materials in the stacks. Library leaders say without the millage, the library would have ultimately been forced to close.
Grand Rapids Public Schools says a 20-year, $305 million bond has passed. GRPS says it will not raise taxes. The dollars will pay for building upgrades, consolidation improvements, athletics renovations, technology, playgrounds and security.
A number of leaders in Mecosta County’s Green Township were voted out, including the supervisor, clerk, treasurer and two trustees. Voters also chose not to create a planning commission. There has been conflict in that area over plans to build an electric vehicle battery plant by Chinese-owned Gotion.
East Grand Rapids Public Schools asked voters to approve a $158.9 million bond, which passed. The district says it will not raise taxes. It will pay for a multi-story building addition, “extensive” renovations and classroom improvements.
The Forest Hills Public School District had both a millage and a bond on the ballot, which both passed: The operating millage carries a 0.5 mill increase. The district says it will collect nearly $400,000 in the first year. A $340 million bond will not increase taxes, the district says. It will pay for classroom upgrades and accessible playground equipment, a new aquatic center and other building renovations, new buses and more.
Grand Haven voters rejected a charter amendment that would have dissolved the Board of Light and Power and given the city council control of the utility.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools had two bond proposals on the ballot, which both failed: Bond Proposal I sought to borrow about $118.3 million to pay for building a new middle school, security improvements, new school buses, new technology and more. Proposal II would have was a $28.7 million bond to fund a multi-purpose facility and other upgrades, plus new musical instruments. An infrastructure bond that would have had paid for a new middle school was also rejected in May.
City of Kalamazoo voters chose to institute ranked choice voting. In future elections, voters may rank candidates for mayor and city commission by preference rather than picking just one.
Kalamazoo County voters approved a 0.1 millage that will raise $1 million annually for the next decade to support veterans services.
Kent County’s Alpine Township tossed out the rezoning of the land along 4 Mile Road where Gracewil Country Club now sits for a future housing development called Wilder Crossings.
The Kent District Library‘s operating millage was renewed for the next 15 years. It says the renewal will include a 1.1 mill levy, about 11% lower than the current rate. It said it would have closed if its current millage had expired.
A $237 million bond to fund building, mechanical and technology upgrades for West Ottawa Public Schools passed. The district says it will decrease the debt tax rate by 0.25 mills from this year’s rate.
There were some voting mishaps Tuesday, which isn’t uncommon. For example, the ballots designated for Grand Rapids’ Precinct 4 were delivered to Precinct 6 and vice-versa. The problem was soon resolved, the city said.
