Voters appear to have defeated Proposal 1, the plan to raise the state sales tax to fund road improvements, is spectacular fashion. Returns from every part of the state show the measure losing by big margins.
Opponents declared victory a little before 9:30 Tuesday and Gov. Rick Snyder conceded the proposal failed minutes later.
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Early returns reported to the Secretary of State, mostly from rural, outstate counties, currently show more than 80% of votes currently counted were against Prop 1.
However, the measure isn't faring any better in metro Detroit. With 515 of 516 precincts counted, 77.24% of Oakland County voters rejected Prop 1. In Macomb County, with 77.7% of the votes in, Prop 1 is faring even worse--losing by an 87.4%-12.6% margin.
In addition to Prop. 1, dozens of local communities voted on millages and proposals Tuesday as well.
Among the most notable, Oak Park approved a measure to allow restaurants to serve liquor and Pontiac rejected a "sinking fund millage" for its school district.
The Michigan Secretary of State and county clerks are also posting elections returns on their websites. Check any of the links below to find your local races.
Proposal 1 statewide election returns
mara tweet
9:30 PM: The current numbers from the Secretary of State for what one can now safely call the the defeated Proposal 1: YES 4,221 - NO 24,551.
9:23 PM: The anti-Prop 1 activists have declared victory and Gov. Rick Snyder is conceding defeat. Here is Snyder's full statement:
"It's essential that making Michigan's infrastructure safer remains a top priority. While voters didn't support this particular proposal, we know they want action taken to maintain and improve our roads and bridges. The ‘relentless' part of relentless positive action means that we start anew to find a comprehensive, long-term solution to this problem. Doing nothing isn't an option as the costs are too great. Michiganders need to be able to get behind the wheel and not worry about dodging potholes or seeing plywood to catch crumbling concrete under overpasses. We appreciate that this bipartisan plan was supported by so many groups – business leaders and unions, public safety officials and local governments, teachers, and the list goes on. I plan to work with my partners in the Legislature on a solution that gives Michigan residents the safe roads they need and deserve and bolsters our growing economy."
9:05 PM: The current vote total from the Secretary of State is YES 1,870 - NO 12,275. Early numbers but returns from county clerks in Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties are also overwhelmingly NO.
The progressive Engage Michigan organization and Macomb County Republican Sen. Jack Brandenburg both separately sent out releases tonight declaring Prop. 1 defeated.
8:49 PM: Outstate numbers are trickling in via the Secretary of State site. SOS count: YES 867 - NO 4,861.
Meanwhile, Oakland County is reporting 414 of 516 precincts reporting. YES 22.58% - NO 77.42%
In Macomb County, 39 of 336 precincts are reporting. YES 12.7% - NO 87.3%
8:33 PM: The first Prop. 1 numbers from the Secretary of State come from Missaukee County. YES: 507 NO: 2,754.
8:25 PM: The Secretary of State has not yet reported any numbers for Prop 1, but some very early county returns shows no voters are outpacing yes votes by a significant margin. In Oakland County, where the Clerk is reporting returns from 191 of 516 precincts as of 8:25 p.m., NO is leading 77.83%-22.17%.
Secretary of State election results
Oakland County Clerk elections
With 33 of 33 precincts reporting, Pontiac appears to have rejected the schools sinking fund proposal.
Another interesting race to watch in Oakland County, is the Oak Park ballot measure to allow the sale of liquor and mixed drinks in bars and restaurants. With 16 of 16 precincts reporting, the measure appears to have passed.
Washtenaw County Clerk elections
Livingston County Clerk elections
St. Clair County Clerk elections