Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority Millage Proposal (Oakland County)

What it does

The Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority (“Authority”) is a joint authority established by Wayne and Oakland Counties (“Counties”) pursuant to Michigan Public Act 321 of the Public Acts of 2000, as amended, and was formed to support the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Historical Museum, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, and other public historical museums located in Wayne and Oakland Counties (“Historical Museums”) that provide historical museum services for students, residents and visitors of the Counties. The law allows the Authority to seek authorization from the electors in each of the Counties to levy a tax of 0.2 mill (20 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) on taxable property to provide revenue for Historical Museums. It is estimated that if approved and levied, this new millage on all taxable property located within Oakland County would generate approximately $17,733,800 in 2026. In addition to supporting the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Historical Museum, and Dossin Great Lakes Museum, 15% of revenues received by the Authority from taxable property in Oakland County, after Authority administrative expenses, will be disbursed to the County of Oakland for the purposes of supporting Historical Museums in Oakland County. Shall a 0.2 mill tax on all taxable property located within Oakland County be imposed by the Authority for a period of ten (10) years, being years 2026 through 2035, inclusive, to provide historical museum services for the benefit of the residents of the Counties?

A YES vote means

A new 0.2 mill tax would be levied in Oakland County for ten years, 2026 through 2035, for the Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit Historical Museum, Dossin Great Lakes Museum and other historical museums, raising about $17,733,800 in 2026, with 15% of the county's share going to Oakland County museums.

A NO vote means

This 0.2 mill historical museum tax would not be levied in Oakland County.

What it would cost

0.2 mills (estimated) for 10 years: $20 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value (a mill is $1 per $1,000). Taxable value is after exemptions such as homestead; your tax bill or property appraiser shows yours.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

According to the ballot language, the Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority was established jointly by Wayne and Oakland Counties under Michigan Public Act 321 of 2000 to support the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and other public historical museums in the two counties.

The proposal would levy 0.2 mill on taxable property in Oakland County for 2026 through 2035, estimated at about $17,733,800 in 2026; 15% of the Oakland County revenue, after Authority administrative expenses, would go to Oakland County to support historical museums there. A matching question is on the Wayne County ballot.

BridgeDetroit reported that both the Detroit Historical Society and the Wright Museum are operating with budget deficits, and that the county commissions created the joint authority in summer 2026 so the millage could go to voters without new state legislation.

Put on the ballot by Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority (created by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and Wayne County Commission, 2026).

From official source.

In the news

• Detroit museums to ask Wayne, Oakland voters to back 10-year millage · BridgeDetroit

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Oakland County ballots

• Oakland County Zoological Authority — Renewal of Oakland County Zoological Authority Millage in Support of the Detroit Zoo

All Oakland County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority Millage Proposal (Oakland County) mean?

A new 0.2 mill tax would be levied in Oakland County for ten years, 2026 through 2035, for the Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit Historical Museum, Dossin Great Lakes Museum and other historical museums, raising about $17,733,800 in 2026, with 15% of the county's share going to Oakland County museums.

What does a NO vote on Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority Millage Proposal (Oakland County) mean?

This 0.2 mill historical museum tax would not be levied in Oakland County.

How many votes does Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority Millage Proposal (Oakland County) need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority Millage Proposal (Oakland County)?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.