It is almost time for the 2024 Michigan primary election. Here is what you need to know:
Early in-person voting is going on now until Aug. 4. Election day is Aug. 6 with polls open from 7 am – 8 pm.
Confirm you are registered, find your polling place, and view a sample ballot at the Michigan Voter Information Center. On this website, you enter your personal information to learn everything that pertains to what is on your district’s ballot.
It is too late in this election cycle to register to vote online for the 2024 primary. You can still register to vote, but you need to do so at the city or township clerk’s office.
If you have decided to vote early by mail, make sure your ballot is returned to your city or township clerk’s office by 8pm on Aug. 6.
You should check your specific ballot to see the races for your precinct. However, here are the issues and candidates that will decided by many Lowell, Michigan, voters in this year’s primary election.
Kent County Ballot Proposals
There are three ballot proposals for the 2024 August primary, all pertaining to Kent County.
Ready By Five Early Childhood Millage
This millage renewal is to provide services to children up to five years old and their parents by supporting early childhood development, services to improve the quality of childcare, and to increase public information regarding childcare.
More information can be found on the Yes Ready by Five website. There does not appear to be any organized opposition to the proposal.
Sports and Entertainment Facilities Proposal
This is an increase in the lodging tax that businesses must collect for guests staying fewer than 30 days. This would mostly apply to hotels and motels and will raise the current tax of 5% to 8% for the total cost of the accommodations. The monies collected from this tax are expected to go toward the building of any of the following: stadiums, arenas, sports complexes, and aquariums in Kent County.
More information can be found on the Yes Destination Kent website.
The TGIF Victory Fund has paid for billboards opposing the proposal. The political action committee appears to be backed by a local businessman who is concerned with the level of noise that may be generated by a amphitheater that is expected to be funded by the tax increase, according to MLive.
Kent District Library Millage Renewal Proposal
This is related to the previously voted on millage from November 2023. Its purpose is to close a funding gap that was brought about by an error in the previous voter millage language. This will be a one-year non-renewable millage to bridge the funding gap spanning the entirety of 2025.
More information can be found on the KDL website. There does not appear to be any organized opposition to the proposal.
Primary Races
In the primary, voters can choose to vote in Democratic races or Republican races, but you cannot split your ticket between the two. Judicial candidates are non-partisan, and all voters can vote in these races.
There are candidates in the following contested races. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name, and we have provided links to their campaign websites, when available.
U.S Senate
Democratic Party
Republican Party
- Justin Amash
- Sherry O’Donnell
- Sandy Pensler (dropped out)
- Mike Rogers
Representative in State Legislature – 78th District
Democratic Party
- Christine M. Terpening (uncontested)
Republican Party
Judge of Circuit Court – 17th
- Nick Gumina
- Charissa Chaiyiang Huang
- Jennifer Johnsen
- Julia Kelly
Judge of Probate Court – Kent County
- Matthew DeLange
- Peter Kulas-Dominguez
- Tamara Lopez
Judge of District Court – 63rd
- Marcus T. Chmiel
- David A. Couch
- Daniel J. O’Hara
- Jonathan J. Paasch
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