Michiganders set to vote in Tuesday’s primary

NILES, Mich. — Michiganders head to the polls Tuesday deciding which presidential candidates will be on the ballot in November. 

They’ll also vote on other issues like millage renewals for local schools and public safety departments.

POLLING INFORMATION: 

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. 

Voters must bring a photo ID however they can vote without one. If they do so, voters will be required to sign an affidavit. 

Michiganders may register to vote on Election Day thanks to a constitutional amendment that passed in 2018. It must be done at their local clerk’s office. 

Since Tuesday’s primary is a presidential primary, voters must also specify which party ballot they want. 

Any other questions? Go to Michigan.gov/vote. 

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY:

The race everyone will be watching Tuesday is the Michigan Democratic primary. 

Three candidates remain in the race with former Vice President Joe Biden or Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders likely to win the nomination. 

A Detroit Free Press poll places Biden in the lead in the battleground state. He’s polling around 51 percent with Sanders coming in at 27 percent.

In the Republican Primary, the ballot includes Presidential Donald Trump and former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld. Trump is likely to win that race. 

LOCAL PROPOSALS: 

Chikaming Township Public Safety Proposal — 

Shall the expired previous voted increases in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Chikaming Township, of one and four-tenths mills ($1.40 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed at one and four-tenths mills ($1.40 per $1,000 of taxable value) and be increased by five tenths mills ($0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value), to total one and nine-tenths mills ($1.90 per $1,000 of taxable value) levied for 4 years, 2020 through 2023 inclusive, for the Chikaming Township Public Safety Services, raising an estimated $1,188,806 in the first year the millage is levied?

St. Joseph Public Safety Millage — 

In support of continued operation of the St. Joseph Charter Police and Fire Departments, and to support Ambulance services, shall the amount of taxes which may be assessed against the taxable valuation of all property in St. Joseph Charter Township liable for taxation, be set at 6 mills ($6.00 per each $1,000 of taxable valuation, as equalized) in the charter township tax levy limitation imposed under MCL 42.27. The above millage rate of 6 mills represents the renewal of the reduced public safety millage of 4.3870 mills ($4.3870 per $1,000.00 taxable valuation, as equalized) and a new millage of 1.613 mills ($1.6130 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation, as equalized). The authorization to levy said millage is for a period of five (5) years, being the years of 2021 through 2025. It is estimated that the amount of revenue to be generated from the total millage in the first year of the levy (2021) will be approximately $2,607,015.00, of which approximately $700,853.00 is generated from the new (additional) millage.

Eau Claire Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal — 

This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2020 tax levy.

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 19.05 mills ($19.05 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Eau Claire Public Schools, Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 6 years, 2021 to 2026, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2021 is approximately $520,000 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2020 tax levy)?

New Buffalo Area Schools Operating Millage Renewal — 

This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2020 tax levy.

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 19.5741 mills ($19.5741 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in New Buffalo Area Schools, Berrien County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 5 years, 2021 to 2025, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2021 is approximately $12,359,840 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2020 tax levy)?

Van Buren Intermediate School District Education Millage — 

This proposal will increase the levy by the intermediate school district of special education millage previously approved by the electors.

Shall the current 3.3177 mills limitation ($3.3177 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the annual property tax previously approved by the electors of Van Buren Intermediate School District, Michigan, for the education of students with a disability be increased by .9 mill ($0.90 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 5 years, 2020 to 2024, inclusive; the estimate of the revenue the intermediate school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in

2020 is approximately $3,730,173 from local property taxes authorized herein?