Oakland County Gears Up for Primary Elections with Plenty to Consider
Oakland County voters will find no shortage of local proposals on their primary election ballot on Aug. 6. This includes decisions on bond and millage proposals for four school districts, renewals of library and parks and recreation millages, and voting on emergency service funding in different areas.
The county’s ballot will contain 24 different initiatives, marking an important time for decisions on local concerns. Despite traditionally having low voter turnout during primary elections, those who do vote will have considerable influence over these local issues. Voters are therefore being strongly encouraged to do their research to cast informed votes.
Key Proposals on Ballot
The range of proposals on the ballot covers various townships throughout Oakland County. For instance, Addison Township will have three proposals on the primary ballot. This includes a fire department capital improvement millage renewal, a fire department and advanced life support operating millage, as well as a library millage renewal.
Almont Community Schools will be pursuing a two-part school improvement bond proposal. After a $58.2 million bond failed in February 2024, the school district aims at a more modest total of $33.1 million this time, spread over 10 to 15 years.
The residents of Avondale will have a chance to vote on a $150 million bond renewal for the Avondale School District, primed for a complete overhaul of schools in the area.
Pontiac’s leadership is also pushing for a historic change, asking voters to approve revisions to the city’s charter, the first such change since 1982. Proposed changes include changing the structure of representation in the city and shifting the city council president role to be full-time.
Spanning even more areas are millage renewal requests for the libraries in both Addison Township and Rochester Hills. If passed, the Rochester Hills Public Library would see the first millage increase in over 100 years, and the library would open for Sunday hours year-round.
Community Involvement
Importantly, these primary elections emphasize the involvement of voters in their local community. Regardless of whether participation rates are high or low, every vote has influence grounded in thorough research and understanding of the local issues at hand.
Moreover, the outcomes of these proposals directly affect those living in these areas, whether it’s the operation of their libraries, parks, or schools. As a result, these local elections provide an opportunity for residents to directly shape the future of their communities.
