Changes to County Executive Elections Reported from Committee

Liz Gullett

Changes to County Executive Elections Reported from Committee

Dec 11, 2015

On Wednesday, the House Elections Committee reported a bill that would move county executive elections from presidential to gubernatorial election years. This bill would only apply to two counties in Michigan, Bay and Oakland, who are organized under PA 139 of 1973 and currently use the presidential cycle for elections. Those in support of the bill state it will create consistency amongst three southeastern counties, Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne, which could provide for better collaboration. However, not all are in favor of the proposal. The bill was reported on a party-line vote, with the Democratic committee members voting in opposition. They state the Republican members are using the bill to ensure a member of their party would be best poised to win the Oakland County executive seat. Oakland County tends to vote Democratic in presidential cycles and Republican in gubernatorial cycles. The bill has been sent to the House floor for further consideration.

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