Governor Signs Bill to Move All School Elections to November

Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill this week that amends the Michigan Election Law to require school board elections to coincide with general November elections.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, election of all school board candidates must take place in November of even-numbered years to coincide with local, state and federal general elections.

"Utilizing a standard election cycle will cut administrative costs and help schools maintain focus on educating students," Snyder said in a press release Tuesday. "This change also allows for more consolidated elections so voters have the best opportunity to make their voices heard."

In May, Utica Community Schools spent more than $90,000 when it held on the odd year.

Shelby Township Clerk Terri Kowal said the move will save taxpayers a lot money. She is part of the Council of Election Officials, a group comprised of township, city and county clerks, who lobbied state lawmakers for the change.

“Both parties realize its time to save money and this will be huge for taxpayers,” she said.

Supporters of the election change say the law will also help boost voter turnout for school elections, which are historically lower than general elections.

In May, Shelby Township had 9 percent voter turnout for the school board elections.

The dates when Michigan municipalities and school boards could hold
elections were consolidated a few years ago and gave school districts
a few options to choose from. The new law takes those regulations even
further.

the board made the decision several years ago to run elections on odd years when the schools were given the choice between November or May. She said it made the most business sense.

“Our particular district opted for the May date because we believe it's most closely aligned with the fiscal year,” she said.

The Michigan Education Association released a statement opposing HB 4005.

“What these new laws really do is again strip school boards of local
control and make school board elections more political, with school
district business being lost in other issues,” the statement said.