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Elections

Wickey and Perez verbally spar as Sturgis City Commission turmoil continues

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Sturgis
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October 15, 2026

Commissioner Justin Wickey called on Mayor Frank Perez to resign and, if he didn't, urged residents to vote for his opponent, Stoney Summey in this November's election. Perez responded by questioning Wickey's faith and role as a pastor, saying he was disappointed in Wickey "choosing to not practice the fundamental principle of forgiving one's neighbor." Perez is running for reelection as Sturgis District 4 commissioner against Summey. Sturgis commissioners elect the mayor from among themselves during their annual organizational meeting each November.

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Your guide to proposals on the ballot this November
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Elections
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October 14, 2026

Watershed Voice has outlined the different ballot proposals voters in southwest Michigan and across the state will be voting on. The proposals range from a statewide campaign finance law aiming to get "money out of politics," and a local municipalities decision to ban marijuana establishments, all of which are detailed here.

No Kings to host early voting event in Sturgis this weekend
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Elections
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October 14, 2026

Community members are invited to gather at Memorial Park in Sturgis this weekend for a volunteer-organized event encouraging voter participation ahead of the November 3 election.  The event, scheduled for Saturday, October 17, from noon to 1:30 p.m., is part of a nationwide effort by the No Kings movement to encourage early voting and increase voter turnout.

Aaron Miller calls for Frank Perez to resign, concede November election
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Sturgis
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October 12, 2026

Sturgis City Commissioner Aaron Miller says "there can be no coincidence" between the reported actions of Mayor Frank Perez, and the resignation of former City Manager Andrew Kuk. “I have watched a long history of commissioner mistreatment of Mr. Kuk that culminated in these events," Miller told Watershed Voice. "It has not just been this one event. His resignation was announced on the same night that the details of the secret meeting all spilled out before the entire commission, shortly after Mr. Kuk learned about the various details as well. There can be no coincidence."

Watershed Voice sends out candidate questionnaires for November election
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Elections
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October 8, 2026

The November election is quickly approaching with just over three weeks before Election Day on Tuesday, November 3.  In preparation, Watershed Voice sent out questionnaires to candidates in local and statewide races. Although some local elections are uncontested, those candidates also received questionnaires.

Debate week in Michigan continues tomorrow night with El-Sayed and Rogers
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Elections
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October 7, 2026

The first debate between Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers will be this Thursday, October 8 at 7 p.m. The debate will air live on WOOD TV8, WOOD TV+, WOODTV.com,  and their partner stations across the state. Thursday’s debate is part of WOOD TV8’s “Debate Week in Michigan.” On Tuesday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson and Republican candidate John James faced off in their first debate.

How to vote in Michigan’s 2026 November election
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Elections
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September 10, 2026

This guide is intended to help voters understand how to register, choose a voting method, and make a voting plan ahead of the November 3 election. Watershed Voice will publish additional election coverage closer to Election Day detailing the candidates, races, and ballot proposals voters will see locally and statewide. Since ballots differ depending on where a voter lives, readers can view their sample ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center once it is available.

What drove turnout in St. Joseph County’s August primary?
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Elections
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August 6, 2026

County records show 12,200 ballots were cast in Tuesday’s primary election. By comparison, 13,544 ballots were cast during the August 2024 primary, when turnout reached about 27%, and 13,472 ballots were cast during the August 2020 primary, which saw roughly 29% turnout. This year’s election saw 1,344 fewer ballots cast than in 2024 — a decrease of about 9.9%.  As of August 5, St. Joseph County had 49,226 registered voters, putting overall turnout for Tuesday’s primary at approximately 25%.

2026 Primary Election results part 2: El-Sayed wins Democratic Senate nomination, incumbent Steve Carra advances
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Elections
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August 5, 2026

El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic nomination, receiving 48.48% of the vote (740,950 votes), while Stevens received 47.51% (726,057 votes). Former candidate Mallory McMorrow, who withdrew from the race in early July, still received more than 50,000 votes. While some votes are still being counted across the state, the Associated Press has called the race for El-Sayed.

2026 Primary Election results: Haigh, Hoeppner advance in Three Rivers second district commissioner race
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News
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August 5, 2026

In the Three Rivers City Commission Second District primary, Josh Hoeppner received the most votes, receiving 43.29% of the vote (410 votes). Incumbent Steven Haigh finished second, with 33.79% of the vote (320 votes). The two advance to November's general election, where they will face-off head-to-head.

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