Your guide to AnnArbor.com's coverage leading up to the Nov. 6 election
This is your guide to the highlights of AnnArbor.com's coverage of the Tuesday, Nov. 6 election.
Voters from across Washtenaw County will decide on local leaders and millages, as well as who will represent them at state and national levels.
You also can find full lists of candidates and issues — plus precinct maps, campaign finance information and polling locations — on the elections section of ewashtenaw.org. That's also where you'll find full ballot proposal language.
Check out the online voter guide provided by AnnArbor.com and Mlive.com at http://www.mlive.com/voterguide/ to compare candidates and read about their stances in their own words. Find a sample ballot at the Department of State's online Michigan Voter Information Center.
Check out the MLive Voter Guide
Art in public places tax: 9 questions and answers about Ann Arbor's proposed tax for art in public places
City parks millage renewal:
- Ann Arbor voters face parks millage renewal on Nov. 6 ballot
- Ann Arbor officials will ask voters to renew city's park millage in November
Mayoral race:
- Albert Howard so far running a quiet campaign to unseat Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje
- Ann Arbor mayoral race: Albert Howard accuses Mayor John Hieftje of running 'shadow government'
5th Ward Ann Arbor City Council: Berry vs. Warpehoski: 5th Ward candidates for Ann Arbor City Council disagree on role of government
Ann Arbor District Library
New downtown library:
- Ann Arbor company puts more than $21K behind ads attacking library bond proposal
- Zingerman's, nonprofit among donors giving thousands to campaign for new downtown Ann Arbor library
- One for the books: Voters will decide Nov. 6 whether to build new downtown Ann Arbor library
- A2Y Chamber endorses downtown Ann Arbor library proposal but stays neutral on public art tax
- Group forms in opposition to $65M bond proposal for new downtown Ann Arbor library
- 10 questions and answers about the downtown Ann Arbor library bond proposal
Library board: Ann Arbor library board candidates offer opinions on $65M proposal for a new downtown library
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education:
- Ann Arbor school board candidates clash on vision of leadership
- Ann Arbor school board candidates sound off on transportation, athletics and communication
Ypsilanti
City charter amendment: Ypsilanti residents voting on new city charter that eliminates partisan elections
City marijuana enforcement: Ypsilanti ballot initiative seeks to direct police efforts away from marijuana enforcement
Ypsilanti-Willow Run school district consolidation:
- Future of Willow Run, Ypsilanti school districts in hands of voters weighing consolidation
- Ypsilanti-Willow Run merger proposal and 18 mills must pass or districts could pay for special election
- Survey: 66 percent of Ypsilanti and Willow Run voters may support district consolidation on November ballot
Lincoln schools millage renewal: Lincoln Consolidated Schools asking voters to renew 2 operational millages
Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County's top fund-raisers for the 2012 election cycle bring in big money
Treasurer: Washtenaw County treasurer candidates sound off in friendly forum
Clerk: No-show at candidate forum gives Washtenaw County clerk chance to reflect
Water resource commissioner: Candidates talk management strategies in race for county water resource commissioner
Sheriff: County sheriff race: Incumbent Jerry Clayton faces challenger Jeffrey Gallatin
Prosecutor: Washtenaw County prosecutor race: Newcomer Justin Altman takes on incumbent Brian Mackie
22nd Circuit Court:
- Fink vs. Kuhnke: Two attorneys compete for open seat on Washtenaw County's 22nd Circuit Court bench
- Connors vs. Woodyard: Judge looks to keep spot on Washtenaw County's 22nd Circuit Court bench
- Judge Tim Connors raises more than $100K in quest to keep spot on 22nd Circuit Court bench
- Prosecutor says Judge Tim Connors should recuse himself after campaign donations from attorneys in case
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners:
- Ann Arbor candidates for Board of Commissioners share vision for the future
- Two incumbents battle to stay on Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in race for 3rd District seat
Townships and other local coverage
Augusta Township:
- Augusta Township political picture contentious heading into November election
- Augusta Township to ask voters to approve millage to reinstate police coverage
- Augusta Township Trustee Susan Burek turns to write-in campaign after narrow primary loss
Chelsea fire millage: Residents to vote on Chelsea Area Fire Authority millage renewal
Dexter township:
- Dexter Township treasurer, trustee candidates go head to head in November election
- Dexter Township millage would fund building of new substation for fire department
- Dexter Township supervisor candidates face off in Nov. 6 election
Northfield Township: Candidates say desire for change characterizes Northfield Township election
Salem Township: Salem Township voters to decide on rezoning land for commercial use in November election
Saline: Current and former council members vie to be Saline's next mayor
Scio Township: Scio Township residents to vote on millage to keep rural surroundings
Sylvan Township: Candidates for trustee, supervisor face off in Sylvan Township
Michigan state House of Representatives
52nd District: Gretchen Driskell vs. Mark Ouimet:
- Driskell ramps up fundraising in race for Ouimet's state house seat
- Driskell vs. Ouimet: 52nd District House race features battle of economic agendas
- 52nd District race turns ugly as Michigan Republicans fight to keep House majority
53rd District: Jeff Irwin vs. John Spisak: Irwin vs. Spisak: Education a key issue for candidates in 53rd District race for state House
54th District: Bill Emmerich vs. David Rutledge: State representative 54th district candidates sound off on issues
55th District: Adam Zemke vs. Owen Diaz vs. David McMahon: Candidates for 55th District seat in Michigan House want to boost economy
U.S. Senate
Hoekstra vs. Stabenow: U.S. Senate candidates both say they'd represent Ann Arbor values in Washington
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Rep. John Dingell denies he called his Republican opponent Cynthia Kallgren ignorant
Michigan Supreme Court
- 'West Wing' cast reunites to make campaign video for Ann Arbor's Bridget Mary McCormack
- Liberal or conservative? Michigan Supreme Court control at stake
University of Michigan Regents
University of Michigan regent candidates say college cost, student debt key issues in 2012 race
Statewide ballot proposals
Local coverage:
- Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder discusses 2012 election and his stance on statewide ballot proposals
- 2012 Impact policy forum in Ann Arbor to put spotlight on statewide ballot proposals
- Ann Arbor's Arbor Brewing Company owners join environmental groups to promote renewable energy ballot issue
Statewide coverage from MLive.com:
- Proposal 1: Michigan voters will decide the fate of the emergency manager law. A "yes" vote will re-establish Public Act 4, which was temporarily suspended ahead of the referendum. A "no" vote will strike PA 4 from the books and, according to an opinion from the attorney general, result in reimplementation of PA 72. Read more on MLive.com.
- Proposal 2: The proposal would grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions. It would invalidate existing or future state or local laws that limit the ability to join unions and bargain collectively, and to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements. Read more on Mlive.com.
- Proposal 3: It would amend the constitution to require Michigan utilities to derive at least 25 percent of their annual electric retail sales from clean renewable sources, including wind, solar, biomass and hydropower, by 2025. It also calls for providers to limit rate increases to 1 percent per year to meet the standard. Read coverage on MLive.com.
- Proposal 4: The proposal would allow in-home care workers to bargain collectively with the Michigan Quality Home Care Council. It also would continue the current exclusive representative of in-home care workers until modified in accordance with labor laws. Read coverage on MLive.com.
- Proposal 5: Two-thirds of lawmakers in both the House and Senate would have to vote in favor of a new state tax, expanding the base of taxation, or increasing a tax rate. Read coverage on MLive.com.
- Proposal 6: The “People Should Decide” measure would amend the state constitution to require a statewide and local vote before any new international bridge or tunnel for motor vehicles is constructed. Read coverage on MLive.com.
Comments
Albert Howard
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.
Thanks Ann Arbor voters! With appreciation!
dotdash
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.
Ryan Stanton and AA.COM: I heard a rumor that people were mistakenly checking too many judges in the non-partisan section of the ballot and that this invalidated their entire ballot. Can you check this out with the Clerk of Court in Ann Arbor?
dotdash
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
Thank you, Ryan Stanton. I was about to climb on the "votes are being suppressed" bandwagon!
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 : 5:52 p.m.
I checked with City Clerk Jackie Beaudry. Here's what she tells me: An "overvote" occurs when a voter votes for more candidates than the office allows. Most offices are vote for one, but some, including the board of regents and some of the judges are vote for two or three. Each office indicates the number allowed. An "overvote" invalidates only the race in which the overvote occurred. In the case you mentioned, only the judicial race that was overvoted would be invalidated. The rest of the ballot would still be tabulated.
Kai Petainen
Sun, Nov 4, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
I may not always agree with your opinions, Ann Arbor.com, but you've done an amazing job at covering this election. My hats off to you, and to Ryan Stanton.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.
Thanks, Kai. And thanks for being a loyal reader and offering constructive feedback on issues from time to time. Like you said, we might not always agree, but we value voices like yours on AnnArbor.com.
Linda Peck
Sat, Nov 3, 2012 : 2:30 p.m.
The art proposal feels like a strong-arm technique to force a vote, an either or situation with no good opportunity.
Ryan J. Stanton
Sat, Nov 3, 2012 : 2:20 a.m.
The Ann Arbor clerk's office is reminding voters to go online at Michigan.gov/vote before they stand in line on election day. The website allows voters to check their registration status, find out where to vote and view a sample ballot specific to the precinct in which they live.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 : 5:52 p.m.
See my reply below.
dotdash
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
Hi Ryan, Can you read my comment below re a large number of absentee ballots being invalidated because of mistakes on the non-partisan section? (Ann Arbor) Thanks!
Kathy Griswold
Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.
It is somewhat misleading to list the library bond under Ann Arbor. The library district is the same as the 125-square mile Ann Arbor Public School District (except Northfield Township). It includes the City and parts of the townships of Salem, Ann Arbor, Pittsfield, Scio, Lodi, Webster and Superior. The library bond is supported by the DDA, Chamber, and others who support downtown business interests. Also, those who want to use the "free and low cost" features of a new library/community center/convention center/media lab. Township taxpayers will have the opportunity to "opt-out" of this extravagant downtown building by defeating the Library Bond. Vote NO! It's not worth it! www.ProtectOurLibraries.org
PattyinYpsi
Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
I want to thank those of you at AA.com who put together the pages that allow you to create a sample ballot to take into the polling place. I knew who I would vote for for the top positions, but for UM/MSU/Wayne State Boards of Regents? Water resource commissioner? No idea. The candidate answers to your questionnaires were very helpful. I know this project took a lot of work, but it's all worth it. Making citizens better informed is a great service. So thanks!
Arboriginal
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 10:11 p.m.
How about a simple ballot?
Doug
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
A simple ballot is only for simple minded people.
Yeah buddy
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.
Is there anywhere to find polling information on the 6 state-wide ballot proposals. I am curious to see the percentages for and against the 6 proposals.
Halter
Fri, Nov 2, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
Freep, WDIV, and several others have posted ballot polls...none of them agree... A review of the statewide polls indicates Prp 1 Yes - 50% No - 50% Prop 2 - 6 -- Yes 30% for all of them NO 60 % for all of them....
Eye Believe
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.
Where will I find information on the Lodi Twp issues?
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6 p.m.
http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/clerk_register/elections/2012-elections/november-6-2012-general-election-unofficial-city-township-candidates#lodi-township-supervisor
chris crawley
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:13 p.m.
In augusta we have the usual, nastiness, name calling, sign destruction and desperate vicious power struggle by cliques, squard or groups to continual to ruin a quiet rural community. One has to wonder why?, for the low salaries? for other tangibale benefits? what would those be? what appalls so many of us and why so many do not vote or pay attention to the problems down here , it the intense nastiness and meanness. Those are called civil servants. We see very little of either. They are rarely civil to our problems or to our face and they are most definitely not our servants. They try to be our masters with an iron fist. So we are backing the New Broom party for the Clean Sweep, they are pushing. all and only new people in office, decent, civil neighbors. That is what should be happening in every office in our great republic. But we will start here and work our message up to all levels. a look at the list for trustee shows Newsome, Bennitt, Thornton, chi, Howard, other offices, only nice people are McDonald, Slack. the supervior race is 2 people in office now. what a choice there.
chris crawley
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:01 p.m.
look at the Augusta race
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 10:55 a.m.
Will there be any information or articles about the candidates for Ann Arbor Library Trustee? Since the current board put the $65 million downtown library / convention center on the ballot it might be useful to know who the incumbents are and if they have any opponents?
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
@Ryan Stanton: Thanks for bringing that to my attention!
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2 p.m.
Stephen, look under the Ann Arbor heading at the top. There's a link to a story I wrote on the library board race.