GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — We may not be quite to November yet, but Tuesday's elections are seen as key by many in some parts of West Michigan.
Polls will be open until 8 p.m. for precincts that have measures and/or candidates on the ballot. As long as a voter is in line by 8 p.m., they will be allowed to vote.
To find what may be on your ballot, visit the Michigan Secretary of State's webpage.
Here are a few races we've followed and will be watching closely to see what happens:
Ottawa County District 2 Commissioner Recall Election
A recall election is happening for the County Commission seat in District 2. Republican Commissioner Lucy Ebel is fighting to keep her job against Democrat Chris Kleinjans.
This recall effort stemmed from opposition to efforts to remove County Health Officer Adeline Hambley. The original recall petition to trigger Tuesday's election cited Ebel's vote to amend the prior Board of Commissioners' resolution in December of 2022 that courts have now affirmed was meant to place Adeline Hambley in the post of county health officer.
For context, Ebel won her race for the seat in 2022 by a little under 600 votes - or 6% of the overall vote in that election.
Whether the events that have occurred since under the majority leadership of Ottawa Impact commissioners – a conservative group that Ebel identifies with – will have an impact on the results remains to be seen.
But what may also play a factor could be the nature of Tuesday's election.
For example, elsewhere in Ottawa County, the Patmos Library in Jamestown Township faced multiple votes regarding whether voters were going to continue to fund it over its selection of books. Millages failed two times during more high-profile elections in August and November of 2022. But in 2023 in the off-year November election with a lower turnout for that ballot question, it was a surprise victory for the library's supporters as funding was approved.
In a mid-year election like Tuesday's where lower turnout could be expected compared to elections like what will come in November, it remains to be seen whether that scenario will create a similar effect, or if results will remain consistent from two years ago.
Whoever wins will serve out the remainder of this term that ends at the end of this year.
Grant Public Schools Board Recall Elections
In Newaygo County, two members of the Grant Public Schools Board are also facing recall elections. These elections stem from controversy surrounding the district's partnership with Family Health Care.
Particularly, much of such controversy came from a mural painted inside the middle school's health center that some believed displayed controversial LGBTQ themes, among others.
The group behind the efforts has cited that controversy as their reasoning, after the health center's contract was in limbo, but then eventually renewed.
Incumbents Rachal Gort and Richard Vance will be facing challengers Mindy Conley and Lindsay Mahlich, respectively.
Whoever wins will serve out the remainder of these terms that end at the end of this year.
Kentwood Millage Proposal
Kentwood voters will be deciding on whether to grant the city a police and fire millage increase.
If approved, the increase of 1.95 mills would provide support for police and fire services for the city.
A spokesperson for Kentwood said the demand for these services continues to grow as the population does.
If the dedicated millage is approved, Kentwood's police and fire departments would be able to hire more people and maintain response times for those needing emergency services.
The last police and fire millage was passed in 2010 and was two mills.
The City Commission approved the proposed millage increase on Jan. 9. If approved by voters, the millage would be levied starting on July 1. It's expected to generate more than $5.1 million in its first year.
According to the City of Kentwood, the millage is projected to support many police and fire initiatives over seven years, including:
- Addressing critical personnel needs, enabling police to add, train and support vital additions to the team, raising their minimum staffing level from three officers and a sergeant to five officers and a sergeant.
- Adding another EMS unit for the Fire Department in the future when the demand for emergency services exceeds current staffing.
- Funding the replacement of necessary police and fire vehicles and other equipment, which have seen significant cost increases in the past few years.
- Creating a basic outdoor training facility for police and fire that will eliminate the need for travel expenses and overtime for training purposes, ensuring cost-effective and up-to-date training practices.
- Supporting increased simulation-based training for police and fire personnel, helping team members build essential skills so they can make informed decisions in real-time that protect community members, property and fellow emergency personnel.
- Updating technology and equipment to protect police and fire team members and community members.
- Enabling both police and fire to focus resources on prevention and education and be more proactive in addressing community issues.
Muskegon Heights City Council Election
The City of Muskegon Heights is holding an election for a vacant seat on the city council. There are four candidates running for the position. The position is nonpartisan.
- Brenda Carter
- Darius Mitchell
- Kim Sims
- Vernonell Smith
Kim Sims is a former mayor and city council member of Muskegon Heights.
*EDITOR'S NOTE*: The story aired mentioned Grant's mural being placed outside the health center's office. This web story has been updated to correct this, as the mural was painted inside the health center's middle school location.
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