Your Guide to the West Bloomfield Public Schools May 7 Special Election

West Bloomfield Public Schools (WBPS) voters will decide whether to approve a 14-year, 1.25-mill levy proposal in a May 7 special election.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at WBPS precincts in West Bloomfield Township, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake and Sylvan Lake. 

If approved, the $1.25 per $1,000 of taxable valuation would increase property taxes $125 per year on a home with a taxable value of $100,000, starting July 1, 2013. (If your home has an assessed value of $200,000, it has a taxable value of $100,000.)

The millage is expected to raise a total of $30.25 million for use primarily on upgrades or repairs. The district's school enrollment and facilities committee identified $23.1 million in needed repairs, including $4.1 million of work at the high school, $9 million at the district's two middle schools and $10 million of work at the district's five elementary schools.

Am I qualified to vote? 

In order to vote, you must:

• be 18 years or older on or before Election Day
• be a citizen of the U.S.
• have lived in Michigan for at least 30 days
• be registered on or before the close of registration (which was April 8 for this election)

A newly passed law places new language on the ballot application that states that the voter is a U.S. citizen and is qualified to vote, and the voter certifies this by signing the application. 

What's the question? 

• Take a look at a sample ballot to see the exact language.

Where do I vote? 

West Bloomfield Public Schools includes precincts in four communities: 

• Keego Harbor election information
• Orchard Lake election information - contact the city clerk
• Sylvan Lake election information
• West Bloomfield Township election information

How can I vote by absentee ballot?

The last date to apply for an absent voter ballot by mail is May 4. After that, you can pick up an application at your township or city hall and vote before election day. There's an absent voter application posted on the district's website. 

Where can I learn more about the millage request? 

The school district has created a web page that includes links to information and frequently asked questions about the election. You'll find it at westbloomfield.k12.mi.us. 

Clarification: A sentence was added to this story to clarify that a home with a $200,000 assessed value has a taxable value of $100,000.