When voters in Detroit went to the polls on Tuesday, the special mayoral primary was the top billing. But many were surprised to find a slate of six ballot proposals on measures that will stand for the next 30 years. City spokesman Dan Cherrin told WDIV-TV Channel 4 said budget constraints led to the lack of voter education on the measures prior to Tuesday’s election.

Why were the ballot proposals put before voters in an election that was expected to have low turnout? City officials said there would not be enough room on the other upcoming ballots as the ballot would exceed two pages in length. Voter turnout was only 14 percent, compared to 21 percent turnout for the primary in 2005.

Of the six proposals on the ballot, five passed. Proposal M, which would have raised and allocated $35 million in tax bonds to rehabilitate city facilities, was not approved by voters.