It's time for the General Election this November! For those living in Newaygo County, see our voting guide below to help you know what's going to be on the ballot.

 

NEWAYGO COUNTY BALLOT GUIDE

Date: Tuesday, November 3

Polling Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Additional Resources:

• POLLING PLACE
• EARLY VOTING INFO
• GENERAL VOTING INFO

 

*STATE OFFICIALS*

 

State Governor & Lieutenant Governor (1)

All TWPs and Cities

• Jocelyn Benson & Winnie Brinks, Democrat

• John James & Jay DeBoyer, Republican

• Anthony Hudson & Beau Parmenter, Libertarian

• Donna Brandenburg & Robert Cowper II, U.S. Taxpayers

• Douglas Campbell & Bobbie Clay, Green

Secretary of State (1)

All TWPs and Cities

• Garlin Gilchrist II, Democrat

• Anthony Forlini, Republican

• Christine Sloan, Libertarian

• Scott Aughney, U.S. Taxpayers

• Eric Borregard, Green

Attorney General (1)

All TWPs and Cities

• Eli Savit, Democrat

• Doug Lloyd, Republican

• Jason Dye, Libertarian

• John Perry Ludtke Jr., U.S. Taxpayers

• Jeff Polonowski, Green

• Doug Dern, Natural Law

 

*CONGRESSIONAL OFFICIALS*

 

U.S. Senator (1)

All TWPs and Cities

• Abdul El-Sayed, Democrat

• Mike Rogers, Republican

• Lydia Christensen, Libertarian

• Tim Long, U.S. Taxpayers

• Douglas Marsh, Green

• Walter Kristy, Natural Law

U.S. Congress - 2nd District (1)

All TWPs and Cities

• Ben Ambrose, Democrat

• John Moolenaar, Republican*^INC

• Charlotte Magoon, Green

• Richard Sills, Natural Law

State Senator - 33rd District (1)

All TWPs and Cities

• Stan Opal, Democrat

• Gina Johnsen, Republican

State Representative - 101st District (1)

All TWPs and Cities

• Christopher Crain, Democrat

• Jaxon Deur, Republican

 

*STATE EDUCATIONAL OFFICIALS*

 

State Board of Education (2)

All TWPs and Cities

• Judith Pritchett, Democrat

• Tiffany Tilley, Democrat

• Terence Collins, Republican

• Bree Moeggenberg, Republican

• Charles Essner, Libertarian

• William Mohr II, U.S. Taxpayers

• Christine Schwartz, U.S. Taxpayers

• Wissam Charafeddine, Green

• Mary Anne Hering, Working Class

• Kelli Monroe, Natural Law

Regent of the University of Michigan (2)

All TWPs and Cities

• Paul Brown, Democrat

• Amir Makled, Democrat

• Lena Epstein, Republican

• Michael Schostak, Republican

• Andrew Chadderdon, Libertarian

• Kyle Maas, U.S. Taxpayers

Trustee of Michigan State University (2)

All TWPs and Cities

• Brianna Scott, Democrat

• Kelly Tebay Zemke, Democrat

• Julie Maday, Republican

• Roger Victory, Republican

• Daniel Patterson, Libertarian

• Will Tyler White, Libertarian

• Janet Sanger, U.S. Taxpayers

• John Sanger, U.S. Taxpayers

• John Anthony La Pietra, Green

• Yaz Ozbek, Working Class

Govenor of Wayne State University (2)

All TWPs and Cities

• Shereef Akeel, Democrat

• Richard Mack, Democrat

• Andy Anuzis, Republican

• Christa Murphy, Republican

• Alex Avery, Libertarian

• Jami Van Alstine, Libertarian

• Jeff McDonald, U.S. Taxpayers

• Paul Ragan, Green

• Suzanne Roehrig, Working Class

• Kathleen Oakford, Natural Law

 

*JUDICIAL OFFICIALS*

 

Justice of Supreme Court (2)

All TWPs and Cities

• Megan Kathleen Cavanagh*^INC

• Noah P. Hood*^INC

• Thomas W. Howe

• Casandra Morse-Bills

• Michael Warren

• Jody White

Judge of Court of Appeals - District (2)

All TWPs and Cities

• Mark Boonstra*^INC

• Daniel Korobkin*^INC

Judge of 78th Circuit Court (1)

All TWPs and Cities

• Ellsworth Stay Jr.

 

*CITY, TOWNSHIP, & VILLAGE OFFICIALS*

 

Barton Township Clerk (1)

Barton TWP

• No candidates on ballot.

Big Prarie Township Park Commissioner (3)

Big Prarie TWP

• Timothy Polasek, Republican

• Edward C. Rubringer, Republican

Bridgeton Township Treasurer (1)

Bridgeton TWP

• Charity Jimenez, Republican (partial term until 12/01/28)

Bridgeton Township Trustee (1)

Bridgeton TWP

• Kathleen Clough, Republican (partial term until 12/01/28)

Denver Township Clerk (1)

Denver TWP

• Nicki McWilliams, Republican (partial term until 12/01/28)

Denver Township Treasurer (1)

Denver TWP

• Sherrilee Craner, Democrat (partial term until 12/01/28)

City of Fremont Mayor (1)

City of Fremont

• Phil Deur

• Dawn C. Finch

• Rod Glupker

City of Fremont Council Member (2)

City of Fremont

• Eric Johnson

• Marla Kolk

• Dan Powell

Goodwell Township Clerk (1)

Goodwell TWP

• Leona Harvey, Republican (partial term until 12/01/28)

Village of Hesperia President (1)

Denver TWP

• Mike Farber

Village of Hesperia Trustee (3)

Denver TWP

• Don Bostrom

• Danny E. Herin

• Joyce McDonald

Home Township Clerk (1)

Home TWP

• Theresa Ouderkirk, Republican (partial term until 12/01/28)

Home Township Trustee (1)

Home TWP

• Austin Snyder, Republican (partial term until 12/01/28)

Merrill Township Supervisor RECALL (1)

Merrill TWP

• Shain Routley, Democrat (partial term until 12/01/28)

• Peter Morgan, Republican (partial term until 12/01/28)

Merrill Township Trustee (1)

Merrill TWP

• Charles Dryer, Republican (partial term until 12/01/28)

Monroe Township Supervisor (1)

Monroe TWP

• Jacob Bills, Republican (partial term until 12/01/28)

Monroe Township Clerk (1)

Monroe TWP

• Gabriela Urbane, Republican (partial term until 12/01/28)

City of Newaygo Mayor (1)

City of Newaygo

• Ed Fedell

City of Newaygo Council Member (3)

City of Newaygo

• Denise DeVries

• Jim Engemann

• Robert Walker Jr.

Sheridan Charter Township Trustee (1)

Sheridan Charter TWP

• Theodore Rancour, Democrat (partial term until 12/01/28)

Troy Township Treasurer (1)

Troy TWP

• Susan Hollar, Democrat (partial term until 12/01/28)

City of White Cloud Mayor (1)

City of White Cloud

• Brian J. Miller

• Lori L. Shears

City of White Cloud Council Member (3)

City of White Cloud

• Amy S. Barnhard

• Adam Chiles

• Chad S. Fetterley

• Brendan Gray

• Jeffery Murchison

 

*LOCAL EDUCATIONAL OFFICIALS*

 

Baldwin Community Schools Board Member (3)

Lilley TWP, Merrill TWP

• Joseph W Brooks Jr

• Diamond Burrell

• Mary Ann Pieske

Big Jackson School District Board Member (2)

Barton TWP, Home TWP, Merrill TWP, Monroe TWP, Norwich TWP

• Ross Fulton

• Michelle Ruelle

Big Rapids Public School District Board Member (2)

Barton TWP, Goodwell TWP, Monroe TWP, Norwich TWP

• Pete Kent

• Jeremy Mishler

Cedar Springs Public School District Board Member (4)

Ensley TWP

• Heidi Armock

• Richard Bell

• Mistie Bowser

• Jenna Hess

• Alexandra I. Hudson

• April Patin

• AnneMarie Slater

• Brent Willett (partial term until 12/31/28)* ^{seperate from 4-year}

Fremont Public Schools Board Member (1 each)

Ashland TWP, Bridgeton TWP, Brooks TWP, Dayton TWP, Denver TWP, City of Fremont, Garfield TWP, Lincoln TWP, Sheridan Charter TWP, Sherman TWP

• Steven Paulsen

• Matthew Goebel (partial term until 12/31/28)

Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees Member (2)

Ensley TWP, Grant TWP

• Jamie Gordon

• Brandy Lovelady Mitchell

• Tim Russ

• Adriana Almanza (partial term until 12/31/30)* ^{seperate from 6-year}

Grant Public Schools Board Member (3)

Ashland TWP, Bridgeton TWP, Ensley TWP, Garfield TWP, City of Grant, Grant TWP

• Ken Longstreet

• Jason McKinley

• Tami Roeters

Hesperia Community Schools Board Member (3)

Beaver TWP, Denver TWP

• Barbara Maynard

• M. Scott Rumsey

• Ryan Good (partial term until 12/1/30)* ^{seperate from 6-year}

Holton Public Schools District Board Member (3)

Bridgeton TWP, Dayton TWP

• Amy M. Brookhouse

• Sarah Hippler

• Andy O'Riley

• Eric Rothoff

Kent City Community Schools District Board Member (3)

Grant TWP

• Glenn A. Crabtree

• Rick Stockhill

• Sandra Vanderhyde-Volkers

Montcalm Community College Board of Trustees Member (2)

Croton TWP, Ensley TWP

• Robert Byram

• Joshua Stamp

Morley Stanwood Community Schools Board Member (4)

Big Prarie TWP, Goodwell TWP

• Greg Babbitt (4-year term)
• Emily J. Bongard (4-year term)
• Mary L. Engelsman (4-year term)
• Matthias Stevens (4-year term)
• Michelle R. Frisbie (6-year term)* ^{seperate from 4-year}

Muskegon Oakridge Public Schools District Board Member (3)

Bridgeton TWP

• Douglas DeWitte

• Jeff Kartes

• Craig A. Scott

• Roger Lee Taylor

Newaygo Public Schools Board Member (2)

Ashland TWP, Big Prarie TWP, Brooks TWP, Croton TWP, Everett TWP, Garfield TWP, Grant TWP, City of Newaygo

• Janet Breen

• John Bull

• Chris Cronk

• Steve Cronk

• Bruce Gracik

• Erica Herwig

Reed City Area Public Schools Board Member (3)

Barton TWP

• Troy Alan Bowling (4-year term)
• Jamie Eichenberg (4-year term)
• Christine Mund (4-year term)
• Dustin Robbins (4-year term)
• Maggie M. Walcott (partial term until 12/1/28)* ^{seperate from 4-year}

Tri County Area Schools Board Member (2)

Croton TWP, Ensley TWP

• Heather J. Shadley

West Shore Community College Board of Trustees Member (4)

Beaver TWP, Troy TWP

• Daniel LaMore
• Thomas Voss

Walkerville Schools Board Member (4)

Beaver TWP, Troy TWP

• John Kirwin

• Albert Tanner

• Michelle Tanner

• George Wolgamott

• Janaya Hood (partial term until 12/31/28)* ^{seperate from 4-year}

• Mark Riggs (partial term until 12/31/28)* ^{seperate from 4-year}

White Cloud Public Schools Board Member (2 full & 1 partial)

Big Prarie TWP, Denver TWP, Everett TWP, Goodwell TWP, Lincoln TWP, Merrill TWP, Monroe TWP, Norwich TWP, Sherman TWP, City of White Cloud, Wilcox TWP

• Jim Jones

• Harry Stevens

• Keri Collins (partial term until 12/31/30)* ^{seperate from 6-year}

• Victoria Nader (partial term until 12/31/30)* ^{seperate from 6-year}

 

*STATE & COUNTY PROPOSALS*

 

Proposal 2026-1: Convene A Constitutional Convention For The Purpose Of Drafting A General Revision Of The State Constitution?

All TWPs and Cities

• Shall a convention of elected delegates be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the State Constitution for presentation to the state’s voters for their approval or rejection?

Proposal 2026-2: Proposed Law To Prohibit Campaign Contributions From Certain Regulated Utilities And Government Contractors And Apply Campaign Finance Laws And Regulations To Additional Types Of Political Communications?

All TWPs and Cities

• Prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact them. 

• Expand laws regulating spending on political communications, including those requiring disclosing donor information, to apply to communications clearly identifying candidates or ballot questions, even if they do not expressly advocate voting for/against them. 

• Expressly apply the law requiring disclosure of who paid for political communications to internet political communications. 

• Should this proposal be adopted?

Newaygo County Veterans' Services Millage Renewal Proposal

All TWPs and Cities

• Shall the County of Newaygo, Michigan, be authorized to levy annually an amount not to exceed 0.0940 mill ($0.0940 per each $1,000 of taxable value), which is a renewal of the millage rate that expires in 2027, against all taxable property within Newaygo County for a period of ten (10) years, 2028 through 2037, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for any veterans’ services authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue Newaygo County will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the first year (2028) is approximately $226,000. By law, a portion of the revenue collected may be subject to capture by the Downtown Development Authorities of the Cities of Fremont, Newaygo, and White Cloud; the Local Development Financing Authorities of the Cities of Fremont and Newaygo; and the Newaygo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.

 

*CITY, TOWNSHIP, & SCHOOL PROPOSALS*

 

Big Jackson School District Operating Millage Proposal

Barton TWP, Home TWP, Merrill TWP, Monroe TWP, Norwich TWP

• This proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance.

• Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Big Jackson Public Schools, Newaygo County, Michigan, be increased by 1.1934 mill ($1.1934 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 9 years, 2026 to 2034, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $3,127 (this millage is to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963)?

Big Prarie Township Marijuana Ordinance Proposal

Big Prarie TWP

• This proposal, if approved, would amend the Big Prairie Township Recreational Marijuana Establishments Licensing Ordinance, Ordinance No. 2022-004, adopted June 14, 2022, to authorize, in addition to the other marijuana establishments authorized under that ordinance, not more than one (1) adult-use designated marijuana consumption establishment to operate within the Township at any one time, provided the establishment is licensed by the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency, or its successor, in accordance with the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act and relevant municipal regulations.

• Shall the proposal be adopted?

Big Prarie Township Park Commission Dissolution Proposal

Big Prarie TWP

• Shall the Big Prairie Township Park Commission be dissolved, with all the powers, duties, assets, and liabilities of the Park Commission transferred to the Township Board?

Everett Township Fire Protection and First Reponder Service Millage Proposal

Everett TWP

• Shall Everett Township increase the tax rate limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution and levy a new additional millage of 0.75 mills ($0.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) on taxable property within Everett Township annually for two (2) years, 2026 through 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of funding fire protection and Medical First Response services in the Township? If approved and levied, this millage would raise an estimated $55,818 in the first year of the levy.

Lincoln Township Fire Protection and First Reponder Service Millage Proposal

Everett TWP

• Shall Lincoln Township increase the tax rate limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution and levy a new additional millage of 0.75 mills ($0.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) on taxable property within Lincoln Township annually for two (2) years, 2026 through 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of funding Fire Protection and Medical First Response services in the Township? If approved and levied, this millage would raise an estimated $47,628.00 in the first year of the levy.

Wilcox Township Fire Protection and First Reponder Service Millage Proposal

Wilcox TWP

• Shall Wilcox Township increase the tax rate limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution and levy a new additional millage of 0.75 mills ($0.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) on taxable property within Wilcox Township annually for two (2) years, 2026 through 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of funding fire protection and medical first responder services in the Township? If approved and levied, this millage would raise an estimated $29,690 in the first year of levy.

Reed City Area Public School District Bond Proposal

Barton TWP

• Shall Reed City Area Public Schools, Osceola, Mecosta, Newaygo and Lake Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Ten Million Seven Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($10,780,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: 

• Remodeling and re-equipping school buildings and facilities; and preparing, developing, improving and equipping structures, sites and lighting at the high school athletic field? 

• The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2027 is 0.20 mill ($0.20 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a -0- mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is nine (9) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.83 mills ($1.83 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). 

• The school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $2,260,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $0. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances. 

• (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

Tri County Area Schools District Operating Millage Proposal

Croton TWP, Ensley TWP

• This proposal will replace expiring millage and allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 20 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. The remaining 2 mills are only available to be levied to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will only be levied to the extent necessary to restore that reduction.

• Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Tri County Area Schools, Montcalm, Kent and Newaygo Counties, Michigan, be increased by 20 mills ($20.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 4 years, 2027 to 2030, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2027 is approximately $3,377,472 (this millage replaces millage that will expire with the 2026 tax levy)?

Tri County Area Schools Sinking Fund Millage Proposal

Croton TWP, Ensley TWP

• Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Tri County Area Schools, Montcalm, Kent and Newaygo Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1.5 mills ($1.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2026 to 2035, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings, including career-technical spaces and workforce readiness spaces; for school security improvements; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used for the maintenance of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of eligible trucks and vans used to carry parts, equipment, and personnel for or in the maintenance of school buildings; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used to maintain such trucks and vans; and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $11,101,859?