Everything you need to know before Tuesday’s primary election
For those planning to vote early this weekend or head to the polls Tuesday, Watershed Voice has assembled this final election guide. Below you’ll find links to every candidate questionnaire we published, summaries of the local races we covered, an overview of the major statewide contests, information on local ballot proposals, and everything you need to know before casting your ballot.
Next Tuesday, August 4 is Primary Election Day across Michigan. Voters across southwest Michigan will narrow the field in races ranging from governor and U.S. Senate to state legislative and local offices before the November general election.
For those planning to vote early this weekend or head to the polls Tuesday, Watershed Voice has assembled this final election guide. Below you’ll find links to every candidate questionnaire we published, summaries of the local races we covered, an overview of the major statewide contests, information on local ballot proposals, and everything you need to know before casting your ballot.
Watershed Voice candidate questionnaires
As part of our election coverage, Watershed Voice sent questionnaires to every candidate in three contested local races: the Democratic primary for Michigan Senate District 17, the Republican primary for Michigan House District 36, and the Three Rivers City Commission district 2 primary. Candidates had one week to respond, and completed questionnaires were published as they were received.
Michigan Senate District 17 (Democratic Primary)
Ashleigh Baker (did not respond)
Michigan House District 36 (Republican Primary)
Max Coon (did not respond)
Three Rivers City Commission District 2
Maurice D. Kelly (did not respond)
Statewide races
Although Watershed Voice focused its election reporting on local contests, voters throughout southwest Michigan will also help determine who appears on the November ballot in several high-profile statewide races.
Michigan voters will choose party nominees for governor to succeed term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Democrats will decide between Jocelyn Benson and Christopher Swanson, while Republicans will choose among Mike Cox, John James, Aric Nesbitt, and Perry Johnson.
Voters will also select nominees for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat. Democratic voters will choose between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens, while Republican voters will nominate Mike Rogers.
In Michigan’s 5th Congressional District, Democrats will choose Christian Vukasovich as their nominee, while republican voters will decide whether to renominate incumbent Tim Walberg.
Watershed Voice race briefings
Michigan Senate District 17
The Democratic primary for the 17th Senate District features Ashleigh Baker, Mike D. Jones, and Brett Muchow. Tuesday’s winner will advance to the November general election to challenge Republican incumbent Jonathan Lindsey, who is unopposed in the Republican primary.
Michigan House District 36
Republican voters will decide whether incumbent Steve Carra or challengers Luke Lori and Max Coon will advance to the November general election. The winner will face Democrat Cole Slaski, who secured his party’s nomination without opposition.
Three Rivers City Commission District 2
Three candidates are seeking on City Commission seat representing District 2. Incumbent Steven Haigh faces challengers Josh Hoeppner and Maurice D. Kelly. Because the race is nonpartisan, the August 4 primary will narrow the field to two candidates, who will then compete in the November general election.
Ballot proposals
In addition to candidate races, many local voters will also decide ballot proposals affecting transportation, roads, schools and libraries.
St. Joseph County voters will consider renewing the county Transportation Authority’s 0.33-mill operating millage for four years to continue transportation services. If approved, the renewal is expected to generate approximately $974,600 in 2027.
Depending on where they live, voters may also see proposals involving township road funding, school funding and district library funding, including the Flowerfield Township road millage, Nottawa Township road millage renewal, Park Township road millage, Athens Area Schools operating millage, Marcellus Community Schools bond proposal, White Pigeon Community Schools sinking fund replacement proposal and the Sturgis District Library millage renewal.
Before heading to the polls
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 4. Any voter in line by 8 p.m. will still be allowed to cast a ballot.
Early in-person voting continues through Sunday, August 2, with hours varying by municipality. Michigan voters may also register in person with their local clerk through Election Day.
Voters can confirm their registration, view a sample ballot, locate their polling place and find their local clerk through the Michigan Voter Information Center. Watershed Voice will publish election results and continuing coverage after polls close Tuesday evening.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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Early voting begins July 25; Watershed Voice candidate questionnaire update
Early voting begins Saturday, July 25, and continues through Sunday, August 2. Hours may vary depending on your municipality and voting location, so check with your county clerk before finalizing your plans.
In St. Joseph County, voters may cast an early ballot at the St. Joseph County Training Center, 602 E. Main St., Centreville.
On weekdays during the early voting timeframe, the center will be open to voters from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends, the center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Any eligible St. Joseph County voters will be able to vote at this location during those times, regardless of where they live in the county.
