By Gari Voss
Absentee/Early Voting ballots for the August 6, 2024, Primary Election have been made available. Voters who are Early Voters have received their ballots, and completed ballots are rolling into precinct offices. This is an extremely important election as the winners will go forward to the November 2024 election ballot.
Primary Elections are often considered an event to stay home, but for a number of positions across Allegan County and the State of Michigan, the August 6, 2024, election is extremely important. Some of the most important races on the local level will be decided in the primary because once party candidates face off in August, they will have no opponent during the November 2024 election.
Michigan is an “open primary” state which means that any voter may participate in either party’s primary election, regardless of that voter’s partisan affiliation. The winner of a primary election is the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes cast for that office, even if he or she does not win an outright majority of all votes cast.
Because it is a Primary Election, voters will need to decide if they will request a Republican or Democrat ballot. There is no straight ticket voting. Voters must educate themselves on the candidates and their goals if elected. The more local the opponents, the more likely that the voter will know and respect all candidates running.
For those unsure of their polling place or how to register to vote, check on the Allegan County Clerk website https://www.allegancounty.org/departments/elections or call (269) 673-0450.
The following races have high levels of inner party competition in the August 6th Primary.
Valley Township
There are two trustee positions with four Republicans vying for the them. Timothy Batchelor, Michael Jensen, Michael Krcatovich and Jose Luis Rizo go toe-to-toe for two positions with no Democrat challenger in November.
Overisel Township
The Township Supervisor position is being sought by Republicans Carl Meyer and Lisa Russcher. Whoever takes this election will have no competition in November.
Otsego Township
Similar to Overisel Township, two Republican are seeking the Township Supervisor position. Mare Jewel Westin and Bryan Winn face each other in the August Primary. The winner takes all.
Monterey Township
Republicans Henry Reinart and Stephen Young face off for the Township Supervisor position with no Democrat opposition in November.
Manlius Township
In Manlius Township, the competition increases. Republicans Barbara Van Geideren and Lowell Winne are running for the single Township Supervisor position. At the same time, three Republicans, David Kemppker, Zachary McKellips and Thomas Nolan, work to take two Township Trustee positions.
Lee Township
Two Democrats, Pam Booth and Scott Owen, want to win their party’s support so they can face Republican Richard Rawson in November. The trustee position is more complicated. Five Democrats, David Bovo-Schmokel, James Cleveland, Lisa Galdikas, Ann Hatfield and Mike Larson seek to go against Republican Ben Lewis in November.
Laketown Township
Steven Ringelberg and Tara Toner, both Republicans, seek their party’s nomination in August 2024, and will have no opponent for Township Supervisor in November. For the Laketown Township Clerk, Republicans Amber Davis and Jim Delaney wish to garner the most votes and will have no competition in November 2024. The two Trustee positions are being sought by Republicans Patrick Dietrich, Michael Koeman and Mark Timmerman. The competition continues in the Parks Commissioner race where Richard Becker, Mary Jo Bertolino, Thomas Evan Hoekman, Brad Laninga, Sherry Sirko and Michael Teekanp vie for five openings.
Hopkins Township
Voters face a similar dilemma in the Township Supervisor race. Republicans Cade Bolser and Mark Allen Evans wish to take this leadership role.
Heath Township
Township Supervisor hopefuls Ronald Jones and Connie Smith, two Republicans, vie for the position and will have no competition in November 2024.
Gun Plain Township
The race in Gun Plane Township to watch is for township trustees. Five candidates are running for four positions. Republicans Dana Albertson, Kevin Meert, Jenann Pearson, William Shannon Jr., and Christine VsnDenBerg have their eye on the four available slots.
Ganges Township
Three Republicans are vying for 2 trustee positions. Richard Hutchins, Aaron Mohr, and George Thompson ask voters for their support.
Cheshire Township
Jim Garlock and Steve Revor will again face off for the Republican slot for Township Supervisor. The victor will have no opponent in November.
Casco Township
The competition in Casco Township will be for the Trustee positions. Republicans Mary Campbell, Dan Fleming and Paul Macyauski vie for two positions and will go against Democrat Judy Pollack in November.
Allegan County
Sheriff. Republicans Frank Baker and Dean Brandt seek the support of their party. The winner will have no opponent in November.
Prosecuting Attorney. Myrene Koch and Michael Villar face one another for a another time to win the Republican ticket. The last election required a recount, and this primary looks to be matching up much the same. The winner will have no Democratic opponent in November.
County Commissioner District 4. Republicans Scott Beltman and Bret Medemar vie for their party’s support. The winner will have no opposition in November.
County Commissioner District 1. Craig Van Beek will be the only Republican listed on the ballot. In recent weeks, Jim Storey has decided to seek reelection by running as a write-in candidate. There is no Democratic challenger.
Allegan County Court
Judge of Circuit Court 48th Circuit. This is the newest judgeship opened by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Alice Bernal, Emily Jipp and Elizabeth Peterson have thrown their hats in the ring. All have solid backgrounds. Voters will need to examine their credentials before checking the box.
State of MI House of Representatives
42nd District. Republicans Rich Cutshaw and Matt Hall vie for the Republican support. The winner will face Democrat Austin Marsman in November.
39th District. There is competition in both parties. Jared Polonowski and Kerry Tapper seek Democrat support, while Richard Overton and Pauline Wendzel go for the Republican nomination.
38th District. George Lucas and Kevin Whiteford are opponents on the Republican ticket. The winner will face Democrat Joey Andrews in November.
Representative for Congress
4th District. Bill Huizenga has competition from Brendan Muir to represent the Republican party. The winner will face Democrat Jessica Swartz in November.
U.S. Senate
Competition in both major parties is fierce. Democrats Hill Harper and Elissa Slotkin face off for the Democrat ticket. Republicans Justin Amash, Sherry O’Donnell, Sandy Pensler, and Mike Rogers have hope for Republican support.
