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On the Blogs
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Bside
Ballroom blitz: 'U' Ballroom Team turns inexperienced dancers into international champions
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The Statement
Hieftje's green vision: Making Ann Arbor energy independent one solar panel at a time
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Football
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News
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Ann Arbor
In Memoriam: Eldersveld, legendary prof. and Ann Arbor mayor, dies at the age of 92
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News
Wolverine ice dancers reflect on 'incredible' run at Olympics
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U Administration
Coleman hints at tuition increase, promises more financial aid
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U Administration
Michigan football program violated rules, NCAA investigation finds
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News
Much work left for 'U' before NCAA probe's conclusion, experts say
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The Statement
Comments
Hold on there for one second. With a low student turnout, I feel that the vote represents the taxpayers that will have to PAY the millage. Students don't pay property taxes. UM doesn't pay property taxes.
Rather, it's the home owners, some of which struggle to reside in Washtenaw County with the ridiculously high property taxes. I work for Washtenaw County, and I cannot afford to live in the county.
I did not have a say/vote on this issue, but had I, it would have been no. Specifically, I feel that the premium school life and activity found in Ann Arbor schools is a privilege, not a right. Maybe the school cuts some sport programs? Maybe athletes are now required to pay to play? Guess what...that is happening to schools all over Michigan. Those schools don't have lacrosse, diving, and luxury classes available. Those parents don't have a "Community High" to send their kids to. If parents want to send their kids to luxury schools with non-mandated activities, send them to PRIVATE schools.
Sheesh.
Washtenaw County Employee for 10+ years
UMich Alumna 1998
At the same time, you must consider that the millage was not only applicable to Ann Arbor Schools, but schools throughout Washtenaw County - schools which are suffering more from the budget cuts than Ann Arbor.
Again, you bring up an interesting point implying that only Washtenaw property owners have the right to vote on this issue. I'm a student - a taxpayer, but not a property owner (neither here nor at home). I'd still like to think that I have the right to vote on the issue because I care about it.
Additionally, Ann Arbor's top-notch extracurriculars are the very activities that make its students competitive and capable college applicants. Just sayin'.
Nina--
Do you then insinuate that students from schools without "top-notch extracurriculars" are not competitive and capable college applicants? How naive. And my point with students voting on millage issues is exactly what I stated--students do not have to PAY the millage taxes. How would you like it if Washtenaw County property owners got to vote to increase your tuition costs? Or they wanted to vote in a "fee" for the privilege of living in Washtenaw County? One that only students had to pay?
So you believe that you should have to pay to vote? Maybe you should go back and study constituional law. Paying to vote was definately not what our founding fathers signed us up for. All voters should be able to vote what they believe in, who are registered voters in that area. This is coming from a home owner.
Also, you are naive to think that students would not bear a certain amount of the tax raise burden. Students have to rent run down houses for obscene values and I am sure land lords would pass on any additional costs. So technically they are paying for this which makes your point mute.
At the same time, you must consider that the millage was not only applicable to Ann Arbor Schools, but schools throughout Washtenaw County - schools are suffering more from the budget cuts than Ann Arbor.
Again, you bring up an interesting point implying that only Washtenaw property owners have the right to vote on this issue. I'm a student - a taxpayer, but not a property owner (neither here nor at home). I'd still like to think that I have the right to vote on the issue because I care about it.
Additionally, Ann Arbor's top-notch extracurriculars are the very activities that make its students competitive and capable college applicants. Just sayin'.
I agree with all three of the comments. You can never compare turnout from a presidential election year to an off year.
Student voter turn out was up 590% from the last off-year election is 2007.
You can't look at the percentage numbers to look at turnout. The voting rolls in the student precincts are pretty terrible because everybody moves around so much in school and moves out of the state while still being registered, so the actual number of potential voters on them is far less than you would think.
You're absolutely right. Also, you can't compare 2008 to 2009. The closest, most recent election we have to this is 2007 (another off year election), and since then voter turnout on campus was increased by over 500%.
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