By Gari Voss
The Tuesday, May 2, 2023 elections results are in the locked bags and cans, and the books have been examined by the Allegan County Board of Canvassers. Precincts are quite comfortable with the results.
SCHOOLS
The closest watched proposals were for school bond millages. Hamilton Community Schools and Wayland Union Schools went to the voters for a third time to get an approval for millage to improve aging facilities and increase safety. The Wayland Union Schools voters passed the millage 2,189 YES to 1565 NO. Hamilton Community Schools passed with 1,614 affirmative and 1,541 negative.
The Bloomingdale Public Schools’ Allegan County voters passed their millage renewal with an overwhelming 81 YES to 42 NO. Hudsonville Public’s Allegan County voters gave a thumbs up to the operating and sinking fund millage renewals.
Zeeland Public’s Allegan cohort were not favorable for either the operating renewal or sinking fund millage proposals, but both passed thanks to Ottawa County voters. Amazingly, Allegan County voters split an even 208 to 208 on the Caledonia Community Schools’ Bond Proposal. The Caledonia Community $61 Bond was approved thanks to Kent County voters.
TOWNSHIPS and COMMUNITIES
The City of Otsego received their Public Safety Millage 378 YES to 274 NO. Holland Precincts 9, 11, 12 and 13 approved the sale of property 834 YES to 501 NO, while the Holland Community Swimming Pool Millage passed 1,179 YES to 398 NO.
Allegan Township placed three proposals in front of the voters. The Rebuilding Road millage passed 366 YES to 156 NO. The Road Resurfacing millage passed 368 YES to 153 NO. The Fire Equipment proposal was approved 402 YES to 118 NO.
Otsego Township will move forward with their Fire millage thanks to 533 YES to 354 NO.
The May 2, 2023 results were examined by the Allegan County Board of Canvassers on Thursday, May 4th. The Board reviewed poll books to account for every ballot cast. To comply with new election laws, the Board reconvened on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 to examine one ballot that arrived within the range of time allotted. The single ballot will not change results, but this new element of the law will ensure that voters who are away from “home” have their voices heard on election day.
Once the Allegan County Board of Canvassers certify the May 2, 2023 election, the results will be sent to the State of Michigan Board of Canvassers for final approval.