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OCP file photo
The following is the Oceana County ballot for the state primary election Tuesday, Aug. 4:
Governor
Four-year term -— vote for not more than one
Democrat
Jocelyn Benson of Ferndale, Mich.
Christopher Robert Swanson of Flint, Mich.
Justin Blackburn of Detroit, Mich.
Kim Thomas of Battle Creek, Mich. (Disqualified)
Republican
Mike Cox of Livonia, Mich.
John James of Shelby Township, Mich.
Aric Nesbitt of Paw Paw, Mich.
Perry Johnson of Bloomfield Township, Mich.
Tom Leonard of DeWitt, Mich. (Withdrew)
Ralph Rebandt of Elmira, Mich. (Disqualified)
US Senator
Six-year term — vote for not more than one
Democrat
Haley Stevens of Birmingham, Mich.
Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak, Mich.
Abdul El-Sayed of St. Clair Shores, Mich.
Republican
Mike Rogers of St. Joseph, Mich.
Bernadette Smith of Byron Center, Mich. (Disqualified)
Representative in Congress (2nd District)
Two-year term — vote for not more than one
Democrat
Clyde Welford of Baldwin, Mich.
Ben Ambrose of Hesperia, Mich.
Jamie Hill of Fremont, Mich.
Republican
John Moolenaar of Caledonia, Mich.
State Senator (32nd District)
Four-year term — vote for not more than one
Democrat
Jay Kilgo of Muskegon, Mich. (Withdrew)
Rebecca Amidon of Manistee, Mich.
Republican
Kim Cole of Ludington, Mich.
Max Riekse of Fruitport, Mich.
Representative (101st District)
Two-year term — vote for not more than one
Democrat
Christopher R. Crain of Manton, Mich.
Republican
Rich Vance of Grant, Mich.
Gary Anderson of White Cloud, Mich.
Jaxon Deur of Fremont, Mich.
Natacha Valmont of Fremont, Mich. (Withdrew)
Ben Townsend of Mesick, Mich.
Luke Eising of White Cloud, Mich.
Representative (102nd District)
Democrat
Angel Coon of Whitehall, Mich.
Republican
Curt Vanderwall of Ludington, Mich.
Hannah Edens of Manistee, Mich. (Withdrew)
Road Commissioner — vote for not more than one
Democrat
George Heath of New Era, Mich.
Republican
Bill Myers of Hesperia, Mich.
Oceana County Commissioner — 2nd District
No candidates on the ballot
Colfax Township Clerk
Democrat
Joni M. Gerard of Branch, Mich.
Crystal Township Clerk
Republican
Bethany Seymour of Walkerville, Mich.
Grant Township Clerk
Republican
Carol M. Sisson of Rothbury, Mich.
Colfax Township Trustee
No candidates on the ballot
Grant Township Trustee
Republican
Jack Woller of Montague, Mich.
Shelby Township Trustee — vote for not more than one
Republican
Scott Beishuizen of New Era, Mich.
Matt Koppel of Shelby, Mich.
OCEANA COUNTY PROPOSAL
Mason-Oceana 911 Operating Millage Question
For the purpose of continuing to provide funds for operations of Mason-Oceana 911 in Oceana County previously supported by the voters in 2014 and 2020, shall the constitutional limitation upon the total amount of taxes which may be assessed in one (1) year upon all property within the County of Oceana, Michigan, be increased by up to 0.1400 of one (1) mill ($0.1400 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of six (6) years, 2026 through 2031, inclusive? If approved and levied in full, this millage will raise an estimated $246,500 for the purpose of providing funds for operations of Mason-Oceana 911 in Oceana County in the first calendar year of the levy based on taxable value. Oceana County Emergency Ambulance Operating Millage Renewal and Restoration Question For the purpose of providing funds for Emergency Ambulance Service in Oceana County, at the same millage level previously approved by the voters in 2020, shall the constitutional limitation upon the total amount of taxes which may be assessed in one (1) year upon all property within the County of Oceana, Michigan, be renewed at 0.9656 of one (1) mill, and shall the previously authorized reduced millage of 0.0344 of one (1) mill be restored, for a return to the previously voted total limitation increase of up to 1.0000 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of six (6) years, 2026 through 2031, inclusive? If approved and levied in full, this millage will raise an estimated $1,760,688 for the purpose of providing funds for Emergency Ambulance Service in Oceana County in the first calendar year of the levy based on taxable value. Proposition for Renewal of Separate Tax Limitations Shall separate tax limitations be established for a period of ten (10) years, 2027 through 2036, inclusive, or until altered by the voters of the county, for the County of Oceana and the townships and intermediate school districts within the County of Oceana, the aggregate of which shall not exceed 7.30 in mills as follows: Mills County of Oceana 5.75 Townships 1.25 Intermediate school districts .30 Total 7.30
BENONA TOWNSHIP PROPOSAL
Benona Township Road Millage
Shall the tax limitation on all taxable property in the Township of Benona, Oceana County, be increased and the Township be authorized to levy annually a millage in the amount not to exceed 1.00 mill ($1.00 per each $1,000.00 of taxable value) of which .9866 is a renewal of the millage rate that expired in 2025, and .0134 mill is new additional millage, for a period of four (4) years, 2026 through 2029, inclusive for the purpose of providing funds to maintain and/or improve public roads within Benona Township, which 1 mill will raise an estimated $235,277 in the first year the millage is levied? Benona Township Shelby Area District Library Millage Proposal Shall the tax limitation on all taxable property in the Township of Benona, Oceana County, be increased and the Township be authorized to levy annually a millage in an amount not to exceed .25 mill ($0.25 per each $1,000.00 of taxable value), of which .2465 mill is a renewal of the millage rate that expired in 2025 and .0035 mill is new additional millage, for a period of four (4) years, 2026 through 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for library services to the residents of Benona Township and for all library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue Benona Township will collect if the millage is approved and levied by the Township in the first year (2026) is approximately $58,000. The revenues from this millage will be disbursed to Shelby Area District Library pursuant to a library services agreement with Benona Township.
GRANT TOWNSHIP PROPOSAL
Grant Township Millage for Road Construction and Maintenance
Shall the previously voted increase of 1.9722 mills ($1.9722 per $1000.00 of taxable value), in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution, on all Real and Personal property in Grant Township, Oceana County, Michigan which expired in 2025 be renewed for a period of two (2) years commencing in the tax year 2026 – 2027 inclusive for the purpose of providing funds for road construction and maintenance within the Township? It is anticipated that the revenue collected by Grant Township as a result of this proposal will be $224,422.00 in the first year of the levy.
HART TOWNSHIP PROPOSAL
Hart Township 7 Year Cemetery Millage
Shall Hart Township impose a Cemetery Millage, which was previously authorized but expired in December 2024, a new additional millage of up to 0.50 mills (being up to $0.50 per $1000.00 of taxable value) under the tax limitation imposed by Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution and levy it for a period of seven (7) years (from 2026 through 2032 inclusive) for the sole purpose of operating and maintaining the Hart Township Cemeteries? If approved and levied in full, this millage will raise an estimated $55,264.00 in the first year the millage is authorized and levied.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP PROPOSAL
Shelby Township Millage Renewal Proposition 2.0 Mills for Shelby Township Road Maintenance and Improvement
Shall the previously voted increase in the Township of Shelby tax rate limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6, of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes, previously 1.9559 mills ($1.9559 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) in 2020, be renewed and levied for seven (7) years, 2027 through 2033 inclusive, and shall an additional 0.0441 mill ($0.0441 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) be approved and levied to restore the previous millage reductions under the “Headlee Amendment” since this millage was last approved, resulting in a total levy of 2.0 mills ($2.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value), subject to reduction as provided by Michigan law, on taxable property in the Township of Shelby? It is estimated that a levy of 2.0 mills would provide revenue of $294,130.00 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Shelby to improve and maintain the public roads within the Township of Shelby. Shelby Township Millage Renewal Proposition 0.5 Mill for Township Cemeteries and Public Parks Improvement and Maintenance Purposes Shall the expired previously voted increase in the tax limitations under Article IX, Section 6, of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes, in Shelby Township, Oceana County, Michigan, of 0.5 mill ($0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value), reduced to 0.4931 mill ($0.4931 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks under the Headlee Amendment, be renewed and increased up to the original voted 0.5 mill ($0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) and levied for five (5) years, 2027 through 2031 inclusive, on all taxable property within the Township for the purpose of the improvement and maintenance of Township cemeteries and public parks? It is estimated that a levy of 0.5 mill would provide revenue of $73,532 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Shelby to improve and maintain the cemeteries and public parks within the Township of Shelby.
WALKERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROPOSAL
Walkerville Public Schools Operating Millage Proposal
This proposal will replace expiring millage and allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Walkerville Public Schools, Oceana, Newaygo and Mason Counties, Michigan, be increased by 19 mills ($19.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2027 to 2036, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2027 is approximately $868,196 (this millage replaces millage that will expire with the 2026 tax levy)?
HESPERIA PUBLIC LIBRARY PROPOSAL
Hesperia Community Library Millage Proposal
Shall the Hesperia Community Library, Counties of Newaygo and Oceana, be authorized to levy a millage annually in an amount not to exceed 1.1 mills ($1.10 per each $1,000 of taxable value), of which .8490 mill is a renewal of the previously authorized millage rate that expired in 2025 and .251 mill is new additional millage to restore the millage rate previously authorized and provide for additional funding, against all taxable property within the Hesperia Community Library district for a period of eight (8) years, 2026 through 2033, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for all district library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the Hesperia Community Library will collect in the first year of levy (2026) if the millage is approved and levied by the Library is approximately $244,000.
PENTWATER DISTRICT LIBRARY PROPOSAL
Pentwater District Library Millage Proposal
Shall the Pentwater District Library, County of Oceana, Michigan, be authorized to levy annually a new additional millage in an amount not to exceed 1.25 mills ($1.25 on each $1,000 of taxable value) against all taxable property within the Pentwater District Library district for a period of four (4) years, 2026 through 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for all district library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the Pentwater District Library will collect if the millage is approved and levied by the Pentwater District Library in the first year (2026) is approximately $465,000. By law, a portion of the revenue from the millage may be subject to capture by Oceana County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Benona Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than five
Stephen Bartlett of Shelby, Mich.
Leyla A. Kayi of Shelby, Mich.
Republican Delegate to county convention — Benona Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than four
Marilyn Morse of Mears, Mich.
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Claybanks Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than three
Beth Funk of Montague, Mich.
Republican Delegate to county convention — Claybanks Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than two
No candidates on ballot
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Colfax Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than one
David J. Leonard of Walkerville, Mich.
Republican Delegate to county convention — Colfax Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than one
No candidates on ballot
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Crystal Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than one
No candidates on ballot
Republican Delegate to county convention — Crystal Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than one
No candidates on ballot
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Elbridge Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than two
Charles Muller of Hart, Mich.
Republican Delegate to county convention — Elbridge Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than two
Andrew Sebolt of Hart, Mich.
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Ferry Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than two
Christian Prowant of Hesperia, Mich.
Republican Delegate to county convention — Ferry Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than three
Patti Loft of Shelby, Mich.
David Russell Swanson of Shelby, Mich.
Jeff Swanson of Shelby, Mich.
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Golden Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than four
Jerry Sparbeck of Mears, Mich.
Republican Delegate to county convention — Golden Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than five
Tom Allison of Mears, Mich.
Tim Bonnell of Mears, Mich.
Maximo Chapa Jr. of Mears, Mich.
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Grant Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than five
No candidates on ballot
Republican Delegate to county convention — Grant Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than six
Beverly Mills of Rothbury, Mich.
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Greenwood Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than two
No candidates on ballot
Republican Delegate to county convention — Greenwood Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than two
No candidates on ballot
Democratic Delegate to county convention — City of Hart
Two-year term — vote for not more than four
No candidates on ballot
Republican Delegate to county convention — City of Hart
Two-year term — vote for not more than two
Cynthia A. Fout of Hart, Mich.
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Hart Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than four
Kimberly S. Mull of Hart, Mich.
Kathleen Schneider of Hart, Mich.
Judy Shatney of Hart, Mich.
Republican Delegate to county convention — Hart Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than four
No candidates on ballot
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Leavitt Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than one
No candidates on ballot
Republican Delegate to county convention — Leavitt Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than one
Larry N. Walker of Walkerville, Mich.
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Newfield Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than five
No candidates on ballot
Republican Delegate to county convention — Newfield Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than five
No candidates on ballot
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Otto Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than two
No candidates on ballot
Republican Delegate to county convention — Ottoe Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than two
No candidates on ballot
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Pentwater Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than seven
Lynne Cavazos of Pentwater, Mich.
Marcia Sue Walter of Pentwater, Mich.
Thomas R. Walter of Pentwater, Mich.
Republican Delegate to county convention — Pentwater Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than four
Joan MenkeSchaenzer of Pentwater, Mich.
Brian Schaenzer of Pentwater, Mich.
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Shelby Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than seven
Ann Hepworth of Shelby, Mich.
Republican Delegate to county convention — Shelby Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than seven
Debbi Clark of Shelby, Mich.
Fred F. Grice Jr. of Shelby, Mich.
Democratic Delegate to county convention — Weare Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than three
Richard H. Kraas of Pentwater, Mich.
Claudette Reid of Pentwater, Mich.
Republican Delegate to county convention — Weare Township
Two-year term — vote for not more than three
No candidates on ballot
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