Politics & Government
Election Wrapup: Low Turnout, School Board Winners, Final Numbers
Uncontested races and lack of hot button issues are probably to blame for low turnout on Election Day.
On Election Day, Royal Oak City Clerk Melanie Halas said she knew the final turnout would be low when she checked in with poll workers midday. As it turned out, only 15 percent of registered voters voted Tuesday.
In 2009, the most recent city and school general election, 17 percent of registered voters cast ballots.
Tuesday, voters re-elected Mayor to a record fifth term, and , and to City Commission. , the solid waste millage renewal, passed easily as did three City Charter housekeeping proposals.
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Goodwin celebrated with her supporters at in downtown Royal Oak on Tuesday. She acknowledged that all the candidates want what is best for Royal Oak.
"If we can have a civilized dialogue, we will get a lot done," she said.
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DuBuc, 33, and Fournier, 32, celebrated their victories at .
"I am really excited to work with the mayor and fellow commissioners to move the city forward," DuBuc said.
Fournier, who is a member of on the Royal Oak Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, said he was looking forward to supporting programs that benefit families and seniors.
Unsuccessful City Commission candidate attributed the low number of voters to an uncontested mayoral race (write-in challenger got into the campaign late) and the absence of a hot button issue. In 2009, voters were asked to amend the liquor control ordinance, which likely drew more to the polls.
Gomez said if he could do his campaign all over, he would place more focus on absentee voters.
School Board Races
Uncontested races for school board in Royal Oak and Clawson school districts were also cited for low voter turnout.
Incumbents Lisa Bradford (50.53 percent) and Gary Briggs (48.23 percent) were re-elected to four-year terms on the Royal Oak Board of Education.
, write-in candidate Jessica Back (100 percent) was elected to the Clawson school board. Back ran unopposed for the open school board seat.
The (Precinct 1) went down to the wire. Paul Ellison (39.61 percent) and Ronald Justice (33.27 percent) were selected to fill two six-year terms. Mitchell Moses (51.21 percent), an interim board member by appointment, will fill one partial term ending Dec. 31, 2015.
Final Results
* winners are in bold Votes Percent MayorJim Ellison 5,820
95.66 Ann Hubbarth 264
4.34
City Commission
Kyle DuBuc 3,300
16.90
Mike Fournier 3,465
17.74
George Gomez 1,573
8.06
Peggy Goodwin 3,493
17.89
Rick Karlowski 2,928
14.99
Bill Shaw 2,639
13.51
Scott Warheit 2,099
10.75
Charter Amendment Proposal A
Yes 6,021 82.28 No 1,297 17.72 Charter Amendment Proposal B
Yes 5,754 83.04 No 1,175 16.96 Charter Amendment Proposal C
Yes 6,250 92.25 No 525 7.75 Charter AmendmentProposal D
Yes 5,895 87.70 No 827 12.30 Royal Oak Board of Education
Lisa Bradford 4,638
50.53
Gary Briggs 4,427
48.23
Berkley School Board - six-year terms:
Paul Ellison 2,338 39.61 Paul Honkala 1,600 27.12
Ronald Justice 1,964 33.27 Berkley school board - partial term ending Dec. 31, 2015:
Melissa Lampela 1,531 48.79 Mitchell Moses 1,610 51.21 Clawson school board
Jessica Back
100
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