Branch County Democrats expected to vote in Republican primary Aug. 6

BRANCH COUNTY — While Branch County Democratic Party Chair Anita Hoyt will vote in the very short party primary on Aug. 6, she's not telling party members not to vote in the Republican primary instead.

That would allow them to have a say in local races, even though there are no Democratic candidates.

Hoyt said, "I think that Democrats have a choice to make. They can choose the local election, and have a say in who holds local office, or they can choose the Democratic primary."

The only Democratic race on the Branch County Aug. 6 ballot is between Hill Harper of Detroit and Elissa Slotkin of Holly to decide the Democratic nominee on the November ballot to replace retiring Senator Debbie Stabenow.

Democrats encouraged to vote in Republican Primary

Hoyt said several former Democratic party officers on Facebook and in person encourage Democrats to vote in the county Republican primary. "You need to vote locally, especially for county commissioner candidates. Four candidates are running for us to be a Constitutional County," Hoyt said.

All the incumbent Republican commissioners who voted against the Constitutional County resolution drew opposition from America First Republicans.

As explained during the hearings on the resolution, this would allow public officials not to enforce laws such as "Red Flag" gun laws, mask mandates, or school closings they did not feel were constitutional.

Hoyt said the public does not need to be fooled by candidates who claim to want to protect our "civil liberties."

The chairman said, "Our civil liberties are protected already. If they're saying it, it's a code. It's code for 'this is the way I want to run things'. You have to be diligent."

County clerk Terry Kubasiak said you cannot vote in the Aug. 6 primary on both the Democratic and Republican ballots. "You must choose one and can only vote on that party's ballot."

Voting machines will reject the ballot of someone who does.

Why no local Democrats on Branch County ballot?

"That would be a good story if the party chairman voted in the Republican primary. As chairman, I've chosen to vote in the Democratic statewide election," Hoyt said.

Hoyt said the state party encouraged Branch County Democrats to put up local candidates.

With Branch County so lopsidedly Republican, she does not want to put up candidates who have no chance of being elected.

Hoyt said until there are over 40% Democrats in the county, "It's not competitive. No one wants to be a candidate. And I respect that."

The number of Branch County Democrat voters fell in general elections since 2012.

What percentage of Branch County voters supported Democrats in November General Elections?

• 2012 Presidential race – 41% voted for Barrack Obama.
• 2014 U.S. Senate race – 42% voted for Democrat Gary Peters
• 2016 Presidential race – 30% voted for Hillary Clinton
• 2018 Governor's race – 36% voted for Gretchen Whitmer
• 2020 Presidential race – 30% voted for Joe Biden
• 2022 Governor's race – 36% voted for Whitmer

Hoyt said, "I think you have to have votes before candidates because nobody wants to be a fool to run and lose."

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— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com