Oakland County, Michigan, March 30, 2006 -- Monday is the last day to register to vote in the May 2 election in which voters in 26 school districts and the cities of Bloomfield Hills, Clawson and Milford will be going to the polls, said Oakland County Clerk/Register Ruth Johnson.

For an up-to-date list of candidates and ballot proposals, visit the Oakland County Clerk's website at www.oakgov.com/clerkrod.

Residents may register to vote at their local city, village or township hall or at the Oakland County Election Division, 1200 N. Telegraph in Pontiac.

This year marks the second year of school elections held under Michigan's consolidated election laws, which limits regular elections to four set dates per year to streamline the election process and boost turnout.

School elections had typically been held in June. Under the changes, every Oakland County school district - except for the South Lyon schools - opted for the May election date.

The legislative change, which consolidated elections, provided consistency for voters. For example, voters now have a single polling place and absentee voter applications are handled consistently. All this has dramatically boosted election participation. Last year, voter turnout in May school elections jumped 63 percent statewide over the June elections held in 2004, according to Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land.

Johnson, who pushed for consolidated elections when she was serving as a state representative, said she was pleased to see voter turnout increase so dramatically under the consolidated election laws.

"Here in Oakland County, we saw an increase in a majority of districts, up to 1,000 percent in some cases," Johnson said. "I hope we see a strong turnout this year, although many districts have uncontested races which might affect participations. Voting is so critical. It's the opportunity for people to have a voice in what happens in their communities and schools.