To the editor:
For more than two years now, our office and many local clerks across Oakland County have been trying to save tax dollars and improve voter turnout by pushing for consolidated school elections.
Instead of expensive, stand-alone school board elections, which generally see low voter turnout, we’ve asked local school districts to ‘piggyback? onto city, township or general elections. This would save $1 million a year in Oakland County alone and as much as $12-$15 million statewide.
To date, eight school districts have moved to truly consolidate, and more are in the pipeline. Others have at least partially consolidated elections to save money and improve turnout. All should be congratulated for putting dollars back in the classroom where they belong.
Unfortunately, thanks to powerful lobbyists in Lansing, legislation is pending that would undermine progress that has already been made. House Bill 4507 would change, yet again, school election dates, opening the door to expensive, confusing stand-alone elections.
For example, one community in Oakland County includes seven school districts. They are facing the possibility of having four different school election dates under this legislation, a move that would surely disenfranchise voters.
We need to build, not tear down, progress that has been made toward consolidation, work toward consistency ? not against it.
What’s worse is that no public hearing has been held on changing to those dates. Neither the public nor election officials who are on the ‘front lines? have had a chance to be heard.
No one has even determined the negative financial impact of this legislation at a time when Michigan’s economy is in jeopardy or how much it will reduce voter turnout.
I would encourage you to contact your local legislator regarding this portion of House Bill 4507 and its detrimental impact on making sure every voice, every vote, is heard.
Ruth Johnson
Groveland Twp./
Oakland County Clerk