Some voting guides basically tell you the candidates and proposals with a brief description of each.  Some voting guides will be unashamedly projecting the author's political biases and directing you to vote for those they prefer.  The first is uninteresting, the second is too demanding; this guide will have enough of the first to be informative and attempt to have just enough personal author bias to make it interesting and useful for all. 

Let's start with the most local and work our way up.  The Michigan Secretary of State provides a most helpful service in providing you with what a local ballot anywhere in the state will look like with the added feature that it has sub-links that will take you to the candidates webpage, if they exist.  Here's a sample that those in the Fourth Ward of Ludington will look like.  This is a good place to start, because our first contest is there:

None of these candidates have websites, however they debated issues at the local candidates forum and had their own write-up in the local paper.  All but Jeff had an interview for the interim spot in front of the city council, citing an issue with the process, but he probably had the best performance at the debate.  Nevertheless, both women have lifetime credentials of living in the Fourth Ward, and solid backgrounds in local civic activities. 

Disclosures:  I voted for Cheri when she ran for mayor in 2016, I currently have one of Kandi's artistic yard signs at the front of the house, and I haven't disagreed with anything Jeff has said.  These are all great candidates.  Pick Cheri if you don't want ripples at city hall, pick Kandi if you want ripples and a responsive representative, pick Jeff if you like his mix of style and substance and are not deterred by the lack of his long-term residency of the Fourth Ward.  

Then there is this proposal that will be voted on by all 6 wards:

Read this article on why you should vote no.  Summarized, the proposal reduces accountability and provides less appeal to qualified city manager candidates than indefinite termed contracts with periodic evaluations mandated.  Then there are county-wide proposals:

This article has explained why this new tax is being misrepresented at the least.  Vote for this if you think $600,000 per year is a lot to pay for a service we haven't really needed in the past when we had more people here.  Vote against it, if you think it is or can't comprehend what 4 road patrol deputies will be doing for 3/4 of the year.  Then there's the jail millage renewal:

The arguments for it state that the money is needed to run the jail.  Paul Deller of Scottville had an interesting, compelling, and researched article on why you should consider voting no for a bloated jail budget.  I can't disagree.  The next proposal is for one medical care facility

Back in 2012, I proffered ten reasons why you should not feel guilty voting no on this rather large millage, those reasons still stand the test of time.  Nearly $2 million in taxes is a lot of cash in this county.  The last renewal is for senior centers and programs:

In my estimation this is the most reasonable of the millages coming before the county, though I've yet to see a full accounting of how the money is used.  If you or others close to you utilize these programs, or if you consider it worthwhile, then consider voting for it.  Otherwise just know that if a small taxpayer revolt happens next Tuesday, and all millage proposals totaling $4 million are voted down, then Mason County would move from being the 28th least taxed county to being tied for 5th (with Ottawa County).  If all are approved, the county will move to 35th least taxed, which may discourage economic growth from occurring.  

The County ballot is very disappointing in that there is only one contested primary in the eastern part of the county, and that the primary will decide the next commissioner, as the other party has nobody running.  Bacon has been involved with politics in the Village of Custer for awhile, Schulke used to be the county surveyor, and seeks to perk up his district economically.  Neither are incumbents, Bacon has the pedigree and demeanor you usually associate with a county commissioner, Schulke, though older, looks like he would bring some energy and innovative ideas to the commission.  This district has routinely voted for Tom Posma prior to his retirement, so they will likely go for Bacon rather than ham. 

Which brings us to the 101st District race.  The Democratic side pitting Edward Hoogterp versus Kathy Wiejaczka appears to have two locally-unelectable characters with two funny-to-pronounce names in the general election as they seem more socialistic than what the norm for the territory is.   But on the Republic side, there is a bit of distinction between the two candidates. O'Malley is a venerable radio personality, Cater is a young woman looking to drain the swamp.  Both share similar views, however, O'Malley appears more establishment, whereas Cater caters to a more outsider populist agenda and list of priorities.  In the 35th District State Senator race there is only one Democrat running, they get a pass, but there are four Republicans

All but Urka have websites and prior political experience.  Urka is a true outsider, a farmer who seems to have a personal stake in getting the seat, who could stand a chance if the three others split the vote and a 'change' motif was prevalent, but there isn't an incumbent.  Both Rendon and Franz were term limited out as state representatives, while VanderWall is a one termer hoping to switch over.  

Each of these three want to out-conservative one another, but Franz's looks to be the staunchest conservative. VanderWall appeals to many in Mason County looking for somebody local, but in his term as representative hasn't shown any favoritism. Rendon doesn't have anything that makes him stand out.  Among US Senator and Representative contests, only one has a primary contest:

You have likely seen or heard commercials for this race, which has become a dead heat.  James received Donald Trump's endorsement recently, however, Pensler still portrays himself as somebody who will work on the president's agenda.   James has inertia, has taken more of a higher ground, has conservative stances on issues,  and probably stands a better chance against the November foe, Debby Stabenow.  Pensler likely doesn't have a deep enough war chest or the charm to overcome the incumbent.  Which brings us to the governor position:

Among Democrats, Whitmer is the most moderate candidate, endorsed by organized labor, women’s groups and virtually the entire liberal Michigan political establishment.  Thanedar is an immigrant entrepreneur from India who has spent many millions, like El-Sayed he positions himself to the left of Whitmer, both want to make a single-payer health care system in Michigan-- which Whitmer calls unrealistic.  El-Sayed has aligned himself with Bernie Sanders and other hard-left politicians that favor socialism.  Whitmer seems likely to win, but do not be surprised if she gets a bit less than 50% of the vote.

The winner may have an advantage over the Republican in November.  Bill Schuette, the front-runner Attorney General has some ethical baggage that will hinder his own party's support, and energize Democrats to vote against him even if he wasn't Trump's choice.  Brian Calley has had moderate success as the moderate Republican serving as Lieutenant Governor the last 8 years, but his association with the current governor may work against him if the voters want a change at the top of Michigan.  

Patrick Colbeck and Jim Hines are two outsider candidates, who, like Thanedar and El-Sayed, may interfere with either one getting enough votes.  Colbeck is more conservative, Hines is a doctor analytically choosing a similar path.  Either of these two would stand a better chance against the Democrat winner, but they are unlikely to get the chance:  the latest polls show that Schuette has a commanding lead with Calley being the only one likely to catch up, minus a minor miracle.  

Review those websites (linked to on the SOS page) if you are still straddling the fence and be sure and get out to the polls on Tuesday August 7th to exercise your right to vote.

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This election reveals a citizenry that doesn't mind turning over their money to politicians who want to keep them  deep in debt. I don't understand it. I'm concerned about the potential for voters to keep running up the debt. What are they thinking?

UGHHH

I guess it must be the economy doing well that people don't care about keeping their money.

I voted no on all proposals like I always do.  I try to convince others too.  But I also see many want to take care of "the elderly" and that "police need" everything they can (like they do for fire depts).  Look for the soon to come 8-9 digit new LASD millage to pass when it comes up, cuz that's "for the kids".  Proponents for millages, like to point out that Mason County is low on millage rates, but what do those rates look like compared to income here.  Lastly, why do all residents get to vote on millage that only effect property owners??

These local millage proposals always seem to appear in May or August elections with little turnout.  It inflates the effect of the 'public sector bloc' of voters (public officials, employees, contractors and their friends/relatives) that show up and automatically vote yes because their team gets more money.  It also reflects to a lesser extent the effect of the entrenched media that never come out against any millage and the effect of yard signs which are out and about and only tell folks to vote Yes, Yes, Yes. 

Property owners and all other informed voters that have no affiliation to a public body will generally vote no, no, no, because they know that the benefits these millage votes cost more than they are worth.  As Brad notes, if you rent, what direct harm is there to you in raising millage rates?

Well, I think most landlords that have to pay for rental inspection fees, and also higher taxes, are just going to raise rental rates to offset their higher costs to do business. That's basically what every other business people do, so why not them. I would have liked to see millage signs all over the place saying vote no, but, I never even saw one on any lawn this year.

Here's the thing.  If you decided to purchase yard signs urging people to vote no on the jail or road patrol millage, there just wouldn't be a lot of people willing to put those out on their lawn and have to worry about retaliation from area law enforcement, many who are rather vindictive.  The local fire and police chiefs have publicly intimated that I might not get their department's best efforts if I experience an emergency, just because of my anti-corruption activism. 

In similar manner, if you put up signs urging a no vote on Oakview AFC and Senior Center millage, there is a too-significant portion of the population that will make an assumption on how terribly you feel about old folks, when you are just being pennywise.

The "here's the thing" phrase isn't supposed to be happening in a free society and nation, we should not be afraid of our public servants at all. But, it's the truth nowadays, and very shocking. People need to feel free to vote their own will and mind. Being pound foolish, when each of those units have their own budgets to live with annually, is unfair and spending our monies without regard to their budget.

Traditionally the voter turnout in the summer primaries is low, I wonder how many Renters voted yes for the millage increases?  Then as they come in affect as higher taxes for the Landlord will bitch because the rent goes up. I was talking to a woman the other day and she was saying how much the city needed more low income housing.  I told her it wasn't in my plan to rent to anyone again. I spent close to 50 years fixing up rentals only to have them destroyed by the low income slobs. Last house is going on the market today. Sick of high  Ludington taxes.

Yep.  If I was a landlord, rent would increase with each millage approved.  I would make renters well aware.  Along with many other rules.  

Totally understand leaving the rental business here in Ludington though.  Now Rob Alway wants to do the same thing in Scottville.

Better would be for the landlords to inform the tenants how much their rent will increase if any of the millage's pass BEFORE the elections.

Let them know ahead of time that they share the renters pain but if any millage's are approved their rent be increased by say $10 a month per millage.

Also state their rent might stay the same or even be reduced if current millage's are defeated.

Remind the renters that they have some skin in the game.

It would also be much more difficult for the local petty bureaucrats to seek retribution against a renter than a landlord.

Might be a deluge of signs reading "Just Vote No to All Millages".

Either way it seems like it would be a win-win situation for landlords.

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