KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — When voters cast their absentee ballot or return to the polls on Election Day, they will be asked to consider several proposals depending on where they live.
Below is a guide for major proposals on ballots throughout Kalamazoo County.
Kalamazoo County (All Ballots) –
To begin with, voters will see one proposal across all ballots in the county that deals with affordable housing. The ballot language reads as follows:
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HOUSING MILLAGE
For the purposes of funding housing programs in Kalamazoo County, shall the constitutional limitation upon the total amount of taxes which may be assessed in one (1) year upon all property within the County of Kalamazoo, Michigan, be increased in an amount up to but not to exceed 0.75 mills ($0.75 on each $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of eight (8) years (2021-2028 inclusive), to provide rental subsidies, permanent housing and related supportive services for residents of Kalamazoo County? if approved and levied in full, this millage would raise an estimated $6,375,000.00 in the first calendar year of its levy based on taxable value.
More information on the proposal can be found at this link.
Comstock Township –
- Proposal to Renew Law Enforcement Millage – Shall the authorized charter millage for the Charter Township of Comstock, as reduced by any required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to the original voted 1.0 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 taxable value) for five years, 2021 through 2025 inclusive, to provide additional funds to be allocated for law enforcement services, a portion of which will be disbursed to Kalamazoo County or such other or fewer local units of government as the Township Board determines appropriate, which levy will raise an estimated $572,549 in the first year?
Oshtemo Township –
Residents of Oshtemo Township will be asked to consider voting on whether the Township should issue capital improvement bonds in order to fund a sewer link project. The matter has been the subject of controversy among some of its residents, who have expressed concerns over the costs of the project, even going as far as to consider legal action.
The ballot proposal language reads as follows –
- Shall the Charter Township of Oshtemo issue its capital improvement bonds in one or more series in the not to exceed principal amount of $10,000,000 to pay for costs associated with extending sanitary sewers and related road and other improvements within certain parts of the Township?
- PURPOSE OF BONDS:
The Township’s capital improvement bonds (the “Bonds”), if issued, will pay for costs to construct extensions to the Township’s sewer system including, without limitation, sewer system extensions in Whitegate Farms, Fairlane, and Skyridge Plat including Meridian Street (in entirety), Sunset Street (in entirety), Beech Street (in entirety), 7th Street (West Main Street to South of Cross Country Drive) and West Main Street (8th Street to Township Hall west property line); together with new roads and other improvements and appurtenances including, but not limited to, sidewalk and shared paths installation, necessary easements, rights-of-way and interests in land, and the expenses of Township engineering, legal and financial consultants (the “Project”).The Bonds will be issued by the Township to evidence a long-term, low interest loan (at a maximum rate of interest not to exceed 2.375%) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency. The Bonds will be outstanding for a maximum term of 40 years. - SOURCE OF REPLAYMENT OF THE BONDS FOR THE PROJECT:
The principal of and interest on the Bonds will be payable from revenues of the Township’s Sewer System and/or the Township’s General Fund, other legally available funds ($250,000.00 pledges toward new roads) or a combination thereof, and will be a general obligation of the Township secured by the Township’s full faith and credit and limited tax pledge, within applicable charter, statutory, and constitutional tax limitations. The Township does not reasonably expect that it will be necessary to levy any additional taxes to pay the principal of and interest on the Bonds and the Township will not have the authority to levy additional taxes to pay the principal of and interest on the Bonds over presently existing Township millage limits without a vote of Township electors.
- Proposal 20-1: A proposed constitutional amendment to allow money from oil and gas mining on state-owned lands to continue to be collected in state funds for land protection and creation and maintenance of parks, nature areas, and public recreation facilities; and to describe how money in those state funds can be spent.This proposal would:
- Allow the State Parks Endowment Fund to continue receiving money from sales of oil and gas from state-owned lands to improve, maintain and purchase land for State parks, and for Fund administration, until its balance reaches $800,000,000.
- Require subsequent oil and gas revenue from state-owned lands to go into the Natural Resources Trust Fund.
- Require at least 20% of Endowment Fund annual spending go toward State park improvement.
- Require at least 25% of Trust Fund annual spending go toward parks and public recreation areas and at least 25% toward land conservation.
More information on the proposal can be found at this link.
- Proposal 20-2: A proposed constitutional amendment to require a search warrant in order to access a person’s electronic data or electronic communications.This proposal would:
- Prohibit unreasonable searches or seizures of a person’s electronic data and electronic communications.
- Require a search warrant to access a person’s electronic data or electronic communications, under the same conditions currently required for the government to obtain a search warrant to search a person’s house or seize a person’s things.
— How to Vote —
To start with, voters should double check to make sure that they are registered to vote here.
At this point in the election, both local and state elected officials are urging citizens to return an absentee ballot to their local drop box or Clerk’s office as soon as possible.
The reason for doing so is because there is a risk that a mailed ballot will not be received in time to be counted. Under Michigan law, all ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
In Kalamazoo, City Clerk Scott Borling is reminding citizens of important local deadlines.
- In-person voter registration must be complete by Election Day at 8 p.m.
- Requests for absentee ballots by mail must filed by Friday, October 30 at 5 p.m.
- Requests for receiving an absentee ballot in person must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, and returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters who have yet to register may do so by going to the Clerk’s Office and requesting a registration form. They can then fill out and return an absentee ballot in the same trip.
Voters may still cast their ballots on Election Day at their respective polling places, if they choose.
“At this point, the only way you can register to vote is in person at your local Clerk’s office, so that’s wherever you reside,” Borling said. “If you reside in the City of Kalamazoo, that would be with us. If you reside in one of the townships, that would be with your township clerk. That’s where you need to go.”
Proof of residency will be required when showing up to register, and a photo I.D. will be requested, Borling says. However, those without an I.D. will have some options.
“You’ll be asked to show photo I.D., but if you don’t have one, you can still register to vote, you can sign an affidavit,” Borling said.
All information about in-person voting locations, registration status, and sample ballots can be viewed at the State of Michigan voting page.
