Michigan’s Primary Election Being Held Today

Today is the Primary Election in Michigan.  Polls will be open until 8pm this evening with a handful of county races to be decided and several important proposals.

One to watch is District 5 in Houghton County where Roy Britz is looking to unseat incumbent Tim Palosaari in the Republican primary for County Commissioner.   The winner will face Democrat Sharon Stoll in November.

Proposals to be decided in Houghton County include the Veteran’s Services Office millage renewal and increase, bond proposals for Adams Township and CLK Schools, a sinking fund for Hancock schools and a millage for the Nisula Church in Laird Township.

Baraga Area Schools are also asking voters to approve a sinking fund.

There’s a challenge in the Republican primary in Keweenaw County for Road Commissioner between John Karvonen and Richard Olson.

Also on the ballot in Keweenaw County are millage renewals for the county and veterans, as well as Eagle Harbor Township Emergency Services and Houghton Township.

Ontonagon County voters will decide the fate of the county millage and Commission on Aging millage renewals.

Also on the ballot at specific precincts are fire and library millages in Carp Lake Township, Fire and Operating millages in Greenland Township, and the Matchwood Township General Fund millage.

All eyes will be on the statewide primaries as three Democrats and four Republicans look to move on to the General Election for governor in November.

Shri Thanedar, Abdul El-Sayed and Gretchen Whitmer are facing off on the Democrat side.  Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette are the frontrunners for the Republicans, along with Patrick Colbeck and Jim Hines.

Libertarian candidates Bill Gelineau and John Tatar are also on the ballot.

Republicans John James and Sandy Pensler face off today to see who will go up against incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow in November for the US Senate.

Likewise, current 110th District State Representative Scott Dianda waits to see if he will face either Republican Mike Carey or Ed McBroom for the State Senate.

To replace Dianda in the House, four Republicans–Greg Markkanen, Kirk Schott, Brady Tervo, and Keith LaCosse–are competing in today’s primary, with the winner going up against Ken Summers in November.

And finally, supporters of Democrat Matt Morgan will be writing-in his name today to try to put him on the ballot in November against Republican Jack Bergman for US Congress.

Since today is a primary, voters must choose which party ballot they prefer and may not split their tickets.