Stella Said:

Does withdrawal of candidates from Michigan ballot show candidates are only concerned with electoral votes?

We Answered:

There are two ways to look at the issue. You've nailed the motivation of the one of the viewpoints, like Hillary Clinton's. However, the parties had a set order for the primaries agreed to and Michigan violated this order by moving the primary ahead in the schedule. I think the mindset of the people skipping Michigan is that any campaigning in a state that breaks the rules only encourages other states to follow suit next time around. I don't think either side is right or wrong, just different in their perspectives.

April Said:

When voting on Nov. 4 in Michigan are there any other issues on the ballot besides the presidents?

We Answered:

Transportation, education among tax issues on November ballot in Southwest Michigan
by Gabrielle Russon | Kalamazoo Gazette
Saturday August 30, 2008, 7:00 AM
KALAMAZOO -- Besides choosing the next U.S. president and a slew of local officeholders, voters in the Nov. 4 election also will decide several tax-related issues.

Fire and police millages will dominate the ballots in many areas, while in Kalamazoo County the big tax issue will be funding for public transportation.

Here is a list of the local ballot proposals in the Kalamazoo Gazette's circulation area that were filed by this week's deadline and released Thursday by county clerks:

Kalamazoo County
• A countywide transit millage would replace separate millages currently levied in the city of Kalamazoo and the rest of the county. The Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority is seeking to levy up to 0.63 mill in 2008; 0.77 mill in 2009; 0.85 mill in 2010; and 0.86 mill in 2011.

• Climax Township, which includes the village of Climax, is asking for a 2.0 mill-increase for a three-year period to operate and maintain the Climax Township Fire Department. In its first year, the levy is expected to raise about $130,000.

Allegan and Van Buren counties
• Lake Michigan College is asking voters in its college district for 0.45 mill for a 10-year period for operating expenses, which include developing new academic programs, maintaining faculties and upgrading instructional equipment. It is expected to generate about $3.4 million in its first year. Outside of Berrien County, the college's district includes Covert Township and the South Haven Public Schools district.

• South Haven Public Schools is seeking a partial restoration of its nonhomestead millage. The one-year measure asks for a renewal of 17.2818 mills plus a 0.5-mill restoration of the millage reduction due to the Headlee Tax Limitation Amendment. The nonhomestead tax is levied on commercial property and second homes.

Allegan County
• Casco Township is asking to levy up to 0.65 mill for police protection for a five-year period. It is expected to generate about $114,000 in the first year.

• Lee Township is seeking a 1.5-mill renewal for a five-year period to fund emergency medical first responder services. It is estimated to generate about $87,000 in its first year.

Van Buren County
• Bangor Township also is asking for a renewal of 3.5043 mills through 2012 for roads. The renewal would cost the owner of a house with a taxable value of $45,000 about $158 annually.

• In Antwerp Township, a local developer who plans to build a housing project for senior citizens on the Mattawan village border seeks to have the property annexed so that it can receive village utilities. The 40.2-acre property, which is currently in the township, is on the north village limits at 25th Street and Red Arrow Highway.

St. Joseph County
• Lockport Township is seeking a pair of fire-related millages identical to the ones voters turned down earlier this month. A 0.5 mill would pay for the township's share for a new station with the Fabius-Lockport-Park Rural Fire Association. The second proposal for a 0.6-mill increase is for day-to-day operations for a 10-year period.

• Nottawa Township is asking for 0.25 mill for a four-year period that would cover expenses generated from LifeCare of Mendon's ambulance services.

Cass County
• Marcellus Township is seeking a 1.5-mill renewal for a three-year period for police and law enforcement services. The millage would pay operating expenses and maintain vehicles, equipment and buildings. In its first year, the levy is expected to raise about $91,000.

Freelance reporters Jef Rietsma and Rod Smith contributed to this

Lydia Said:

Why do HRC supporters say she's ahead in popular vote when Obama wasn't even on the Michigan ballot? New math?

We Answered:

It's a (rather crude) attempt to give justification to an argument for superdelegates to support her. Obviously, votes in a state where she was the only major candidate on the ballot (because, it should be noted, she was the only one to ignore party directives to not compete there) are not comparable to those cast in competitive states. I don't understand why her campaign is propogating this line - it is such a stupid argument that merely espousing it might cause people to write her off and ignore more substantive points she has. Basically it smells of desperation, which isn't the image any candidate should project.

Dora Said:

How can it be fair to count Michigan votes if Obama was not even on the ballot?

We Answered:

That was Obama's choice and why did he have his name on Florida ballot. We can't both have our cake and eat too.

Obamais being hypocritical when it comes to keeping Florida voters disenfranchised.

Marian Said:

Is it fair for the Michigan vote to count if one of the candidates did not appear on the ballot?

We Answered:

I think to quiet the crybabies, everything should be split 50/50 that way no one gets an advantage out of it. Clinton moves closer to the magic number and so does Obama. If that puts Obama over the top first, so be it.

Becky Said:

Obama got 40% of the vote in michigan by people voting uncommited, What % will he get now being on the ballot?

We Answered:

Only time will tell. The re-do will speak loud and clear!