Local News

Full slate of races locally in Tuesday’s election

ESCANABA -- Both at the local and state level, the Nov. 8 general election is shaping up to be a pivotal one, many of the proposals and candidates focusing on issues that directly affect U.P. voters.

AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

The only national race appearing on this year's general election ballot, is the race for the U.S. House of Representatives First District seat currently held by Republican Representative Jack Bergman.

Bergman, who has served in Congress since 2016 and is seeking re-election to the seat, is being challenged by Democrat Bob Lorinser, of Marquette. Also vying for the seat are third-party candidates Andrew Gale, a Libertarian, and Liz Hakola, of the Working Class Party.

AT THE STATE LEVEL --

PROPOSALS

Three highly-contentious proposals that would modify the Michigan Constitution will appear on the ballot.

Proposal 1 takes aim at state legislators, many of whom have been lukewarm on the proposal because of the two very different issues it seeks to address.

Firstly, the proposal would require legislators -- as well as the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general -- to file annual public financial disclosures. These disclosure statements would include assets, liabilities, income sources, gifts, travel reimbursements, and positions held in organizations that are not religious, social or political.

The second half of the proposal would address term limits by replacing the current term limit structure for state representatives and state senators and replacing it with a 12-year total limit across both of the legislature's two houses. Currently, an individual may serve up to six years in the house (three two-year terms) and eight years in the senate (two four-year terms). If adopted, the proposal would allow an individual to serve up to 12 years in either body or -- assuming they were elected to both houses in the necessary elections -- split their time between the two bodies in any combination up to 12 years.

Both aspects of the proposal would take effect if it passes.

Proposal 2 focuses on elections. Specifically, the proposal would:

-- Make it a stated, fundamental right to vote without harassing conduct;

-- Require military or overseas ballots to be counted if postmarked by election day;

-- Give voters the right to verify their identity with a photo ID or a signed statement;

-- Give voters the right to apply to vote by absentee ballot in all elections by filling out a single application;

-- Require state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes and postage for all absentee ballots and absentee ballot applications;

-- Allow post-election audits to be conducted only by election officials;

-- Guarantee nine days of early in-person voting;

-- Allow donations to fund elections. These donations must be disclosed;

-- Require canvass boards to certify election results based only on the official record of votes cast.

Proposal 3, which is arguably the most contentious proposal on the ballot, would amend the state constitution to establish an individual right to reproductive freedom. This would include the right to make and carry out all decisions about pregnancy, such as prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion, miscarriage management, and infertility.

The proposal specifies the state may regulate abortion after fetal viability, the point where a fetus has reached a stage of development where it would be capable of living outside the uterus under normal circumstances. However, the state would not be allowed to prohibit abortions after the point of fetal viability if the procedure were medically necessary to protect a patient's life or physical or mental health.

The proposal would also forbid state discrimination in enforcement of the right to reproductive freedom, and prohibit prosecution of an individual getting an abortion or anyone helping a pregnant individual to do so.

Any existing laws that conflict with the proposal would be invalidated if it passes.

AT THE STATE LEVEL -- PEOPLE

There are two state-level races appearing on this year's general election ballot, the race for the State House of Representatives 38th District seat and the race for the State Senate 108th District seat.

Vying to represent the Upper Peninsula in the 38th District is current State Senator Ed McBroom (R), who is being challenged by John Braamse (D).

In the race for the 108th District are Chris Lopez (D) and Dave Prestin (R). The seat is currently held by Republican Senator Beau LaFave, who is prohibited from running again due to term limits.

AT THE ­COUNTY LEVEL -- ­COMMISSIONERS

Candidates seeking election to the five open seats on the Delta County Board of Commissioners will also appear on the ballot.

In District 1, only incumbent Republican Malnar will appear on the ballot, as he is the only one who filed to fill the seat.

In District 2, voters will decide between Casey Schroeder (D) and Steven Viau (R).

For District 3, the race to fill the seat will pit two incumbents against each other. A quirk in the county's most recent redistricting placed Theresa Nelson (D), who currently represents District 3, and Bob Barron (R), who represents District 5, within the borders of the newly-drawn District 3.

District 4, which represents parts of Escanaba, has been hotly contested, with incumbent Dave Moyle (R) aiming to defend his seat from challenger Kelli VanGinhoven, who is running as an independent.

A third candidate for District 4, Meredith Seppanen, who filed to run as a Democrat, has suspended her campaign. Despite the fact she does not intend to pursue the seat, her name still appears on the ballot.

For District 5, only Republican Robert Peterson filed to fill the open seat. He will appear unopposed.

AT THE ­COUNTY LEVEL -- ­PROSECUTOR

Delta County voters will have two options to for the open Delta County Prosecutor seat: Republican Lauren Wickman, who currently serves as the acting prosecutor, and Diane Kay-Hougaboom, who is running for the seat as an independent.

LOCAL PROPOSALS

Three townships will vote whether to renew the 0.5 mils (50 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) currently collected to support the services of the Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA) within their borders for the next five years. In the first year, the millage would collect $22,188.98 in Bark River Township, $14,901.19 in Bay de Noc Township, and $60,943.16 in Escanaba Township.

A second proposal will appear on the Bark River Township ballot. Residents will be asked to approve a 1.5 mils ($1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of five years (2023 to 2027, inclusive) to provide funds for the township's fire department. The funds will be used to support both the fire department's operations and the purchase of fire equipment and is expected to collect $66,000 in the first year if approved.

BAY COLLEGE

Four candidates are seeking election to the Bay College Board, which has two open seats and is a non partisan race. The candidates are Nick Chenier, Stephen Davis, Joy Hopkins and Wendy Middaugh.