Politics & Government

Election Wrap-Up: 'Our Best Days Continue to Be Ahead of Us'

Royal Oak elects two new faces to city commission and passes a human rights ordinance and operating millage renewal for schools.

Here's a look at what happened at the polls Tuesday:

Voter turnout

In Royal Oak, 12,556 voters cast ballots in the city and school general election for a 25.5 percent turnout. That's up from two years ago.

In 2011, the last city election, voter turnout was at 15 percent and in 2009, 17 percent of registered voters cast ballots.

Find out what's happening in Royal Oakwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

City Commission

In the race for city commission, Dave Poulton, Sharlan Douglas, and Jeremy Mahrle were the top vote-getters for the three seats. 

Poulton received 27.91 percent of the vote; Douglas 25.18 percent; Mahrle 24.77 percent; Diane Hargan 21.65 percent. (Click here for results by precinct.)

Find out what's happening in Royal Oakwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

City Commissioner Kyle DuBuc, who was elected in 2011, celebrated with the winners after the polls closed.

"I think it's confirmation from the voters that they are really happy with the direction that we've been going and they share the vision that this commission is trying to pursue." said DuBuc. "I think our best days continue to be ahead of us."

Douglas and Mahrle will officially take their seats at the City Commission table on Dec. 2.

[Read reaction from candidates.]

Mayor

Mayor Jim Ellison was re-elected easily and without official opposition. Ellison received 95.14 percent of the vote.

Proposal A - Human Rights Ordinance

The much talked about human right ordinance won voter approval.

Voters said yes (53.96 percent) to prohibiting discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status. (Click here for results by precinct.)

A violation of the new ordinance is a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than $500, plus the costs of investigation and prosecution. 

[Read more: Royal Oak Voters Approve Human Rights Ordinance]

Charter Amendment proposals

Voters rejected all three charter amendment proposals.

Voters said no (64 percent) to lowering the age of eligibility to be mayor or a city commissioner from 25 years old to 21 years old; no (51.52 percent) to removing the requirement that a person be a real estate property owner in order to hold elected office; and no (61 percent) to allowing the City Assessor and City Treasurer to be appointed by the City Manager. 

The charter amendment proposals are largely housekeeping measures brought to the attention of voters by the Royal Oak Charter Review Committee, which reviews the charter looking for ways to make it more efficient.

Rob Moore, vice-chair, Royal Oak Charter Review Committee, was disappointed that none of the proposals received voter approval.

"We need to do a better job of outreach and educating the voters," Moore said.

Operating millage renewal for schools

Voters said yes by a wide margin  (70.30 percent) to renewing an 18 mill levy for Royal Oak Schools. The proposal also authorizes a 3.4 mill hold-harmless levy on principal residences. The 3.4 mill authorization is a reduction from the 3.5030 hold-harmless authorization approved by voters in 2006.

"We are very grateful to the citizens of Royal Oak for their overwhelming support for the school operating millage renewal," said Shawn Lewis-Lakin.  "This is an affirmation that our community recognizes our schools to be an essential public good, from which all residents derive value." 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here