Lansing residents will decide a millage restoration and a charter amendment on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The two city-specific ballot measures would restore a millage funding police and fire services and create a new healthcare advisory board, according to the City of Lansing’s official election information.
Absentee ballots became available Thursday, Sept. 24. Both proposals appear only on City of Lansing ballots.
Millage restoration: 0.78 mills for five years
The Essential Services Millage Restoration Proposal would raise the city's charter millage from 19.2214 mills to 20 mills per $1,000 of taxable value. The increase of 0.7786 mills would last five years, from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2031.
If approved and levied in full, the restored rate would generate about $2,585,101 in its first year, according to the ballot language published by Lansing City Pulse. The money would fund police protection, fire protection and local road and sidewalk maintenance.
The 20-mill rate is not new. The city charter originally authorized 20 mills, but rollbacks required under the Michigan Constitution reduced the rate over time. A "yes" vote would return the levy to its original level.
Healthcare advisory board: a charter amendment
The second question asks voters whether to amend the city charter to create a Citizens' Advisory Healthcare Action Board. The board would study healthcare costs and access in Lansing and publish a Healthcare Action Plan with recommendations.
The advocacy group Community Action Michigan gathered more than 7,000 signatures to qualify the measure. The Lansing City Council voted Aug. 10 to place it on the ballot, as WILX first reported.
Before advancing the proposal, the council amended the ballot language to clarify a key limit. City Attorney Gregory Venker told WILX that night that the board's plan would describe a path for implementation, but the city itself could not be the body carrying it out. The city would not have authority to implement the board's action plan.
Similar efforts are underway in five other Michigan cities, including East Lansing, according to WILX.
Deadlines and drop boxes
Absentee ballots became available Thursday, Sept. 24, according to WLNS. The last day to register to vote by any method other than in person at the Lansing City Clerk's Office is Monday, Oct. 19. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is Friday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m.
Voters can request an absentee ballot in person through Monday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m.
City Clerk Chris Swope warned voters to use the correct drop box. About 30 ballots landed in the wrong Lansing drop box during the Aug. 4 primary, and at least six were not counted, WLNS reported.
"If you live in Lansing, use a Lansing drop box," Swope told WLNS. "If you live outside of Lansing, use your own jurisdiction's drop box."
The full text of both proposals is available at the Lansing Elections Office, 701 W. Jolly Rd., or by calling (517) 483-4131.
