City of Dearborn Heights — General Revision of the City Charter Proposal (Wayne County)
Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Dearborn Heights voters
Results: the official election results site. Counts are unofficial until certified.
- What it does
- Shall there be a general revision of the Charter of the City of Dearborn Heights?
- A YES vote means
- A general revision of the Dearborn Heights City Charter would go forward.
- A NO vote means
- There would be no general revision of the Dearborn Heights City Charter.
- 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).
Explained
Today
- Dearborn Heights is governed by its current City Charter, which sets how city government is organized and run.
- Under Michigan's Home Rule City Act, a city can rewrite its charter as a whole only through a general revision: voters approve starting one, an elected commission drafts a new charter, and voters then accept or reject that draft.
If it passes
- A yes vote starts the general revision process. It does not change the Charter by itself.
- Under state law, a 9-member charter commission is then elected within 60 days, unless it was chosen at the same election. Members must be city voters who have lived in Dearborn Heights at least 3 years, and city officers and employees cannot serve.
- The commission writes a proposed revised charter, which goes to Dearborn Heights voters for approval. If voters reject it, the commission can revise and resubmit it, up to 3 times. The commission ends if no revised charter is adopted within 3 years.
- A no vote leaves the current Charter in place; it can still be changed by individual amendments.
Who would notice
All Dearborn Heights residents, since the Charter sets how city government works. The ballot question itself does not change any tax.
How it got here
Under state law the question reaches the ballot either by a 3/5 vote of the City Council or by voter petition. We could not find an official record showing which route Dearborn Heights used.
In the news
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Also on Wayne County ballots
- City of Gibraltar — Public Safety Millage Proposal
- City of Grosse Pointe — Special Assessment for Police and Fire Departments
- City of Grosse Pointe Park — Parks and Recreation Millage Proposal
- City of Lincoln Park — Headlee Override Proposal
- City of Riverview Ballot Proposal — Sale of Part of Riverview Highlands Golf Course
- City of Riverview Bond Proposal
- City of Rockwood — Headlee Operating Millage Restoration for Transportation Infrastructure
- City of Southgate — Charter Amendment to Remove Term Limits for Elected City Officials
- City of Southgate — Charter Amendment to Article 5, General Finance, to Establish Budget-Based Thresholds for Competitive Bidding and City Council Approval
- City of Inkster — Millage Renewal Request for Parks & Recreation (incl. Senior Citizens and Youth Services)
- City of Inkster — Millage Renewal Request for Senior Services Operations
- Grosse Ile Township — Millage Renewal for Bike Path Maintenance
- Grosse Ile Township — Millage Renewal for Fire Department Equipment
- Grosse Ile Township — Millage Renewal for Recreation Program
- Grosse Ile Township — New Millage for Greenways/Open Space
- Sumpter Township — Police Protection Millage Renewal
Quick answers
- What does a YES vote on City of Dearborn Heights mean?
- A general revision of the Dearborn Heights City Charter would go forward.
- What does a NO vote on City of Dearborn Heights mean?
- There would be no general revision of the Dearborn Heights City Charter.
- Does a yes vote approve a new charter?
- No. It only starts the revision. Any new charter written by the commission must be approved by voters at a later election.
- Who can serve on the charter commission?
- Nine city voters with at least 3 years' residence in the city. City officers and employees, elected or appointed, cannot serve.
- What vote does it need?
- A majority of those voting on it.
- How many votes does City of Dearborn Heights 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 City of Dearborn Heights?
- 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.
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