Politics & Government

LIVE Blog: Library Millage and Schools Tech Bond Pass

A live blog of Election Day in Clawson including voter turnout, results and reactions from residents.

9 p.m.— Results are in. Library millage passes 1,329-1,096 and schools technology bond passes 1,362 to 1,069.

8 p.m.— Polls close.

7:25 p.m.— Clawson resident H.J. Pennington said he supports the library millage, but voted "no" on the school bond proposal because his daughter attends a parochial school.

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

"The library just had a big expansion," Pennington said. "We should protect our library since Troy's is closing."

7:10 p.m.— poll workers said they've processed 502 ballots today and 380 have been walk-ins. About 25 percent of the voters in that precinct voted so far. Voter traffic started picking up at about 6 p.m. at Hunter.

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

6:35 p.m.— Patricia Bashakes said she voted against the library and school proposals. Bashakes, who voted at , said she will not support a tax hike for Clawson residents.

"We can't afford any more taxes," Bashakes said. "Too many people are losing their homes."

Bashakes said the tax hikes could cause people to move out of Clawson. She would rather the school district find someone to donate new computers instead of asking taxpayers for the money.

6:30 p.m.— The precinct reported 536 ballots processed today. Voter traffic was starting to pick up at this time.

2:50 p.m.— We're at working. Library Director Elizabeth Gulick said she remains hopeful the millage will pass, but has only seen support from the library patrons.

"Whatever happens, we'll do our best to deal with it," Gulick said.

2:25 p.m.— City Hall reports 78 walk-ins today and workers there have processed 108 ballots all together. 

"It's been a steady dribble," precinct chairwoman Bonnie Schwab said.

1:55 p.m.— Clawson voter Frank Pearcy said he voted "yes" on the library and technology proposals.

"I wasn't thrilled about the library (millage) because we just spent money on it," Pearcy said. "But we need the library to keep home values up."

1:50 p.m.— Voter Mike Herman said he supports the library and schools because students need up-to-date technology so they can progress in society and the community needs the library resources.

1:45 p.m.— At (Precinct 1) voter turnout has been steady all day, chairwoman Heather Kukuk said. The precinct reported about 200 walk-ins today. Poll workers say they haven't gone more than five minutes without voters  walking in.

10:20 a.m.— The precinct reported 44 walk-ins so far. Precinct chairwoman Nancy Crampton said the voter turnout had been slower than usual for a May election. Crampton said the precinct might get busier around dinner time.

10:10 a.m.— At , precinct chairwoman Barbara Hayes said they had 34 walk-ins, which is normal for a Special Election at that polling location. However, Hayes said the rainy, cold weather could affect the overall voter turnout in Clawson.

Anna Brooks, 71, voted at Baker and said she supported both proposals. The millages "are needed in Clawson," said Brooks, who is a retired Clawson schools secretary. "We have to keep up with the times."

8:15 a.m.— Poll workers at the precinct say voters have been coming in at a steady rate. Precinct chairman Jerry Jones said they had processed 74 ballots and 24 were walk-ins.

"Everything is going smoothly," Jones said.

Melissa Gaglio voted at Schalm in this morning and said she supports the library millage and schools technology bond. Gaglio said she has two children who attend Schalm.

"My children have to compete against other children in this area," Gaglio said. "And they need to be prepared for the job market."

8 a.m.— At , voters were stopping in the precinct every few minutes. Roger Jewett had just voted in support of the library millage. 

"It's a definitely a necessity for the city," Jewett said. "And more and more residents are using it."

7:45 a.m.— precinct workers reported 12 processed ballots in the first 45 minutes of polls opening.

Deputy City Clerk Mike Smith said the city expects an 18 percent voter turnout today. The voter turnout in last year's May election was 22 percent. The clerk's office had processed 613 absentee ballots as of 7:45 a.m.

"For May elections, there generally isn't as much voter turnout," Smith said.

Poll traffic tends to pick up at the end of the day between 6-8 p.m. because people stop in after work, Smith said. He said they hope to have all the results by 9 tonight.


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