Local Proposals Pass in Houghton and Ontonagon Counties, Biden and Trump Take Wins in State Primary

Michigan’s first presidential primary has wrapped up for 2024. Voters steadily streamed in and out of the area’s polling place yesterday. The city of Hancock had all three precincts vote at the Lakeside Manor. Other municipalities had normal precinct locations set up. At the Dee Stadium in Houghton clerk Henry Nordsieck says that the site saw a regular stream of voters coming in during the first three hours.

“It’s been slow and steady. We’ve been open for three hours. We’ve had 36 people come to vote.” – Henry Nordsieck, Clerk, Dee Stadium City of Houghton Precinct

Some residents expressed several concerns walking out of their polling place today. At Dee Stadium, one of Houghton’s busiest polling places in the county, Houghton resident Scott Wagner said he’s most concerned about border security going in the ballot box.

“I think there’s not much different than what we’ve been seeing on the news recently. Immigration and yeah, that’s been one of the biggest ones recently that I’ve locked onto. But yeah, and just the total direction of the country and the way it’s going right now.” – Scott Wagner, Houghton Resident

Another Houghton resident, Ken Driessien, added that he hopes the issue improves, however, as an independent voter, he feels neither party offers many solutions.

“Neither party will solve in my mind. I’ve been an independent mostly in my life, but there’s still a difference. I feel there’s kind of a lesser to evil things myself, but I hope that it gets better. Try to be positive.” – Ken Driessen, Houghton Resident

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both take away wins from the Michigan February primary. Unofficial primary results have been released for Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon County. Adams Township School District voters in Ontonagon and Houghton counties both passed the Adams Township School District operating millage. Ontonagon County voters also passed the Ontario area school district operating millage. Laurium Village voters passed the millage that will raise another 29,000 dollars for snow removal. A final local item was passed by Stanton township voters for the Fire Department millage. Those interested in viewing unofficial primary results for Baraga Houghton Keweenaw and Ontoangon counties can find details below.

All results posted below are the unofficial totals received by Keweenaw Report from county clerks in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties.

Baraga County: 1,652 of 6,847 voters (24.13%)

Democratic Primary: 518/6847

Joseph R. Biden: 411

Dean Phillips:18               

Marianne Williamson: 26

Uncommitted: 60

Republican Primary:1134/6847

Ryan L. Binkley: 3

Chris Christie: 1

Ron DeSantis: 9

Nikki Haley: 173

Asa Hutchinson: 0

Vivek Ramaswamy: 0

Donald J. Trump: 912

Uncommitted: 33

Houghton County: 6,443 of 26,774 voters (24.06%)

Democratic Primary: 2,342/26,774

Joseph R. Biden: 1860

Dean Phillips:65

Marianne Williamson: 77

Uncommitted: 323

Republican Primary: 4,024/26,774

Ryan L. Binkley: 8

Chris Christie: 16

Ron DeSantis: 42

Nikki Haley: 993

Asa Hutchinson: 5

Vivek Ramaswamy: 17

Donald J. Trump: 2849

Uncommitted: 85

Stanton Township Fire Department Operating Millage: 421/1,294 voters in Stanton Township (32.53%)

Yes: 363

No: 37

Village of Laurium Millage Proposal: 397/1696 voters in the Village of Laurium (23.41%)

Yes: 301

No: 94

Adams Township School District Operating Millage Renewal: 447/2070 Houghton County Adams Township School District Voters (21.59%)

Yes: 305

No:129

Keweenaw County: 643 of 2,102 voters (30%)

Democratic Primary:

Joseph R. Biden: 211

Dean Phillips: 8

Marianne Williamson: 5

Uncommitted: 33

Republican Primary:

Ryan L. Binkley: 1

Chris Christie: 0

Ron DeSantis: 3

Nikki Haley: 105

Asa Hutchinson: 0

Vivek Ramaswamy: 3

Donald J. Trump: 265

Uncommitted: 8

Ontonagon County: 1,711 of 5,708 voters (29.98%)

Democratic Primary: 543/5,708

Joseph R. Biden: 442

Dean Phillips: 15

Marianne Williamson: 13

Uncommitted: 63

Republican Primary: 1,105/5,708

Ryan L. Binkley: 1

Chris Christie: 6

Ron DeSantis: 9

Nikki Haley: 198

Asa Hutchinson: 1

Vivek Ramaswamy: 0

Donald J. Trump: 867

Uncommitted: 18

Adams Township School District Operating Millage Renewal: 19/33 Ontonagon County Adams Township School District Voters (21.59%)

Yes: 9

No:7

Ontonagon Area School District Operating Millage Proposal: 1,119/3,634

Yes: 781

No: 290