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Wayne County Zoological Authority Proposal: Detroit Zoo Millage Renewal

Wayne County, Michigan

My vote power

High

Election date

November 3, 2026

Wayne County Zoological Authority Proposal: Detroit Zoo Millage Renewal is a ballot measure in Wayne County, Michigan on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Renews and restores Wayne County's property tax for the Detroit Zoo to 0.10 mill, or 10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, from 2028 through 2037. County property owners would keep paying it; the county estimates $6.1 million in the first year for animal care, programs, and upkeep.

How do we calculate my vote power?

What determines the vote power rating for ballot measures: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. You have more power in ballot measures because you vote directly on the policy.

Representation: Above average · 58 out of 100

This district is a good deal smaller than its state, so each vote here carries more weight than a vote in a statewide race. About 1,772,259 people live here.

Show the representation math

score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(10,077,761 ÷ 1,772,259) ÷ ln(50,000) = 58.03, measured against a statewide vote in MI (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)

Above average representation + a direct vote on the policy → My vote power: High.

What does this measure do?

Renews and restores Wayne County's property tax for the Detroit Zoo to 0.10 mill, or 10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, from 2028 through 2037. County property owners would keep paying it; the county estimates $6.1 million in the first year for animal care, programs, and upkeep.

Read the official ballot measure (PDF)

A YES vote means

The zoo property tax may continue at 0.10 mill for ten more years, including a small restoration of the rolled-back rate.

A NO vote means

The proposed ten-year renewal and restoration of the zoo property tax would not be authorized.

Last updated September 24, 2026.