2019 Election Dates and Deadlines

While school board elections take place on the even-year November election date, a district may place millage and bond propositions on the ballot on any of the three regular election dates each year (four election dates in a presidential election year), as well as on certain petition initiative election dates.

May 7, 2019
August 6, 2019
November 5, 2019

A certified copy of the school board resolution approving ballot language for millage or bond propositions must be filed with the districts election coordinator at least 12 weeks before the election date. For the May 2019 election date, that filing deadline is Tuesday, February 12, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. If your district is considering a millage or bond proposition for next May, please contact the Thrun Law Firm attorney who assists your district with election matters as soon as possible.

Registered electors in a district also may circulate petitions to place a millage or bond proposition on the ballot on a date other than one of the regular election dates listed above. Petitions bearing a sufficient number of signatures must be filed at least 12 weeks before the applicable election date. For 2019, the remaining available petition initiative “floater” election dates are:

March 19, 26
April 2
June 18, 25
July 2
September 17, 24
October 1
December 17, 24, 31

The 2019 regular and “floater” election dates could be used to seek voter approval for any of the following:

• Millage renewal;
• Restoration/override of Headlee reduction to
  existing millage;
• New millage, such as sinking fund, recreational, or regional enhancement; or
• Voted bonds.

For a new bond issue that a district would like qualified under the School Bond Qualification and Loan Program, school officials should contact their financial advisor and bond attorney at least five months before the prospective election date to schedule a preliminary qualification meeting with the Department of Treasury

If you have questions regarding voted bonds or millages, please contact the Thrun Law Firm attorneyn who assists your school district with election matters

Municipal Finance & Elections Practice Group