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Detroit residents once again headed to the polls to cast important votes that will reshape and transform the direction and future of city government. The primary election was held to nominate candidates for the offices of Mayor, City Clerk, City Council, Charter Commission, and Board of Education At-Large for the November 3rd general election. This primary election, was an opportunity for voters to show their support along with narrowing down the field of candidates.
Recently, Detroit's city government has been plagued with "bad press" for the actions of individuals involved in misconduct which resulted in indictments, plea deals, and even jail sentencing. This primary election was the chance for voters to send a message that Detroit wants to move in a new direction politically. Yet and still, pollsters, election insiders, and others predicted a low voter turnout between 12%-15%. The reason for the anticipated low voter turnout is due to "voter fatigue". This was Detroit's third election this year. This predicted turnout is slightly less than a typical primary in Detroit. A typical primary usually garners around 20%-25% turnout.
Voting is one of the most important civic responsibilities. It is an opportunity to get involved. It's an opportunity to voice your opinion or to make decisions that will affect one's lives. For voters who did not participate and vote in this primary election, I ask you to please get involved in the election process. I ask you to please come out on November 3rd and vote in the general election. If "voter fatigue" is the issue, I ask you to please consider utilizing the absentee ballot option. Like the NAACP say............Take Your Soles to the Polls!".
Ok, the top vote recipients of the primary election, which will be moving on to face-off in the general election on November 3, 2009 for the offices of Mayor, City Clerk, City Council, Charter Commission, and Board of Education At-Large are:
Mayoral Nominations (one position)
- Dave Bing
- Tom Joe Barrow
City Clerk Nominations (one position)
- Janice M. Winfrey
- Joyce Moore
City Council Nominations (nine positions)
- Charles Pugh
- Ken Cockrel Jr.
- Gary Brown
- Brenda Jones
- Saunteel Jenkins
- Kwame Kenyata
- JoAnn Watson
- Jai-Lee Dearing
- Alberta Tinsley-Talabi
- Andre L. Spivey
- James Tate
- Lisa Howze
- Shelley I. Foy
- Fred Elliot Hall
- Raphael B. Johnson
- Mohamed Okdie
- Davis J. Cross
- John K. Bennet
Charter Commission Nominations (nine positions)
- Freman Hendrix
- Rose Mary C. Robinson
- Teola P. Hunter
- Ken Coleman
- Jenice Mitchell Ford
- John Johnson
- Jeffery D. Robinson
- Reggie Reg Davis
- Cara J. Blount
- Johnathan C. Kinloch
- Ken L. Harris
- John R. Eddings
- Tonya Myers-Phillips
- Patty Fedeva
- Sarah D. Lile
- Warren A. Crockett
- Olumba-John Olumba
- Elena M. Herrada
School Board At-Large (4 positions)
- Ida C. Short
- Margaret L. Betts
- Reverend David Murray
- Lamar Lemmons
- Deborah E. Davis
- Carol Banks
- Marie Thorton
- Willie E. Burton
Two things stood-out to me about this primary election. One, there is alot of new names and faces who advanced in the elections process to make it to the general election; and two, the convincing support for the incumbent Mayor Dave Bing and the City Clerk Janice M. Winfrey along with Charles Pugh garnering the most votes in the race for city council.
Detroit residents, get involved, volunteer, and donate to the candidate of your choice.
For a closer look at the election results, please visit www.vote4detroit.com
For more information about the NAACP, in which I used their "Take Your Soles to the Polls!" motto, please visit www.detroitnaacp.org
Comments
Low turn-out! Why am I not surprised. It seems that people just don't care about what is happening to the city and how it ultimately effects them. Detroit is my hometown and it's sad that people are not fighting back against all the challenges pouncing down on the city. People please get invovled. Detroit had always been a city of fighters. Now is not the time to sit back and do nothing.
I am begging the citizens of Detroit to please do your research and participate. Voter education and participation is key to betterment. Know who you are voting for!
I am distressed to see many names like John Johnson and Rev. Murray appear as winners in yesterday's primary. There are far too many names of people who have poorly served us before and people whose integrity has been previously called into question.
Perhaps, most distressing are some of the names that rose to the top for the charter commision. This is important! We need people who are educated, experienced and familiar with the legalities and language associated with revamping the charter, ie., LAWYERS. We have got to stop voting according to name recognition. Stop voting for celeberties just because they're celeberties. Do you know their politics? Are they qualified? REMEMBER MARTHA REEVES?
We have to take responsibilty for what happens in our city. We decide who represent us! Get informed! Get involved!
In order to bring change in Detroit,We need more people to come out to vote. This is our opportunity to get involve and demand a change. Looking at the primary election results, voters who did went to the polls use their voices to put new names on the ballot. That's a start we have get involved and stay involved.
Thanks for the comment about the Spanish information. Don't hesitate to send me any questions.
I was a big basketball fan in the 70's, so I will be following your articles to see how Dave Bing does in the political arena.
Thomas Self-taught Spanish Examiner
One guy running for charter commission did an interview with the Free Press and said he was practicing law without a license. Admitted it. He's the guy who name is similar to Obama, but I can't remember exactly how it is spelled.
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