Michigan Voters Approve Majority of Road and School Millages

Michigan voters cast over 1.6 million ballots during the August 5, 2026, primary election to decide nearly 900 ballot proposals. The election saw overwhelming support for infrastructure, with the County Road Association of Michigan reporting that over 95% of road millages passed. Specifically, 96% of renewal proposals and 92% of new millages were approved, including seven county-wide measures designed to supplement a 2025 state road funding package.

Educational funding saw mixed results across the state. In Detroit, 81% of voters approved an operating millage for the Detroit Public Schools Community District that is expected to generate $120 million. However, voters in Oakland County rejected a regional millage that would have increased per-pupil funding by $781 annually. Other narrow defeats occurred in Benzie County, where an operating millage failed by nine votes, and for Oxford Community Schools, which failed by 23 votes.

Additional approved measures included a public transit tax in Wayne County, which allows the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation to expand its tax base to 17 more communities, and an eight-year tax for early childhood services in Kalamazoo County. Voters also approved library funding in Sparta Township and various local taxes for emergency services and senior support.