It’s local election day for many communities.
Detroit voters will elect a mayor, city clerk and nine City Council members.
State Sen. Coleman A. Young II is challenging Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan,
Detroit Clerk Janice Winfrey is being challenged by computer engineer and community organizer Garlin Gilchrist. On the ballot for city council
District 2 on the city’s west side,
former policeman Roy McCalister is against former state Sen. Virgil Smith. Incumbent George Cushingberry lost in the primary but Cushingberry is mounting a write-in campaign.
Detroit also has two ballot questions on regulating marijuana in the city. They would allow the opening of many more medical marijuana facilities.
Dearborn mayor John O’Reilly is being challenged by city council president pro tem Tom Tafelski and in Dearborn Heights, city council woman Lisa Hicks-Clayton is trying to unseat mayor Daniel Paletko.
In other races … Hamtramck, Mayor Karen Majewski is being challenged by council member Mohammed Hassan.
Sterling Heights mayor Michael Taylor is challenged by Jeffrey Norgrove and a write-in, Steve Naumovski.
In Pontiac, Mayor Deidre Waterman is opposed by city councilman Mark Holland and two write-in candidates, Linda Kay Hasson and Alfred Patrick.
Suburban voters also will decide a variety of millage proposals.
Millage increases are being decided in Fraser, Keego Harbor and Pleasant Ridge.
Washtenaw County has a 1-mill countywide tax on the ballot.
Some communities have sinking fund issues on the ballot, which call for tax increases.
Flint Mayor Karen Weaver is running for re election.
Voters are also being asked to decide if they want to recall her from office.
The recall is over her support for a trash removal contract that was opposed by the city council.
At the same time voters are deciding the recall, they are also voting for other candidates to be Weaver’s replacement. The election and the recall are rolled into one.
If somebody else gets more votes, that candidate will take office immediately.