GRATIOT COUNTY — Beyond the statewide races and proposals, Gratiot County voters will see local questions on the Nov. 3 ballot. Which ones depends on where you live. This guide follows the county clerk’s unofficial candidate and proposal list, proofed Aug. 27.
Local proposals
- Alma Public Library (City of Alma): up to 1 mill for six years, 2027 through 2032, for the library building and grounds; an estimated $235,000 in the first year. Our report.
- County-wide transit millage: put on the ballot by a 4–1 commissioners’ vote June 2. Our report.
- Breckenridge Community Schools bond: up to $12.4 million, with no projected change in the debt tax rate. Our report.
- St. Louis Public Schools operating millage: up to 3 mills for seven years, 2026 to 2032, to restore millage lost to the state constitution’s required rollbacks. The district estimates about $110,732.87 if 1.3086 mills are levied in 2026. It applies to property other than principal residences, such as businesses, rentals and second homes; owner-occupied homes are exempt.
- Merrill Community Schools operating millage: a non-homestead operating millage for 2027 through 2036, estimated at $779,321 in 2027, for Gratiot voters who live in the district.
- Shepherd and St. Johns school bonds (up to $14.9 million and $40 million) and a Saginaw Intermediate School District career and technical education millage, each for Gratiot voters who live in those districts.
What a mill costs: 1 mill is $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. A home with a taxable value of $50,000 pays about $50 a year per mill. Taxable value is printed on your tax bill and is usually well below market value.
Contested local races
- Alma City Commission: four seats; three candidates filed petitions and four write-in candidates have filed declarations. Our report.
- Alma Public Schools Board of Education: five candidates for two six-year seats: Justin Barnaby, Susan A. Higgins, Jennifer Post, Peggy Ann Yates and Dave Blandford.
- Gratiot County Road Commissioner: Jennifer Lobdell (D) and Aaron L. VanHorn Sr. (R), for a six-year term.
Other school boards, village offices and library boards are on the clerk’s list linked below.
What this guide does not show
The clerk’s list is unofficial and scans poorly in places. The official sample ballot for your precinct, on the Michigan Voter Information Center, is the formal record of what you will vote on.
Corrections and responses are welcome.