Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority Millage Proposal (Wayne 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 on taxable property located within Wayne County, this new millage would generate approximately $12,219,200 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 Wayne County, after Authority administrative expenses, will be disbursed to the County of Wayne for the purposes of supporting Historical Museums in Wayne County. Shall a 0.2 mill tax on all taxable property located within Wayne 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 Wayne 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 $12,219,200 in 2026, with 15% of the county's share going to Wayne County museums.

A NO vote means

This 0.2 mill historical museum tax would not be levied in Wayne 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

Next elections here

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

Also on Wayne County ballots

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

All Wayne County races and measures →

Quick answers

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

A new 0.2 mill tax would be levied in Wayne 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 $12,219,200 in 2026, with 15% of the county's share going to Wayne County museums.

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

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

How many votes does Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority Millage Proposal (Wayne 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 (Wayne 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.