August primary election guide: What's on the ballot in Emmet County?

EMMET COUNTY — In the Aug. 6 primary election, voters in Emmet County will be able to vote on issues ranging from statewide races to local positions and ballot proposals.

Here's what you can expect on the ballot on Tuesday:

Ballot Proposals

Nearly a dozen millages and ballot proposals will be included across the county, ranging from school bond proposals to EMS and library millages.

More: Emmet County to vote on operating millage in August primary

Throughout the county, voters will be able to vote yes or no on an Emmet County operating millage. The operating millage would allow the county to levy a total of 7.8 mills from 2025 through 2028. Emmet County would receive 5.6 mills, the townships would receive 2 mills and the Char-Em ISD would receive 0.2 mills.

Emmet County voters will also vote on whether or not to approve a millage for the Emmet County EMS for 0.7 mills. The millage supports around half of the operating budget for EMS services.

More: Emmet County EMS to have millage request on August ballot

In Resort and Bear Creek townships, a millage renewal will be included on the ballot to support the Resort-Bear Creek Fire Department. The department is seeking a four-year 0.5 mill renewal, which helps fund the department's operational budget. The millage would be levied from 2024-2027.

In addition to the fire department's millage proposal, voters in Resort Township will also be asked about a four-year 0.25 millage to help fund the parks maintenance and recycling/composting collection. If approved, an estimated $126,730.87 would be levied in the first year. The money would help fund the maintenance of the township's parks, as well as the operation of the township's recycling and compost collection program, according to the ballot language.

More: Resort-Bear Creek Fire Department seeks millage renewal on August ballot

Carp Lake Township will have two millage requests on the ballot, including one to support road maintenance and the other to support the fire department.

Voters will be asked whether or not they are in support of a 1 mill tax from 2025 through 2029 to bring in money for road construction and maintenance. If approved, the millage would be expected to bring in an estimated $48,200 in 2025.

Carp Lake Township voters will also be asked about a 1 mill renewal for 2025-2029 to help bring in money to support the fire department. The money is used for fire protection, operation and maintenance costs, according to the ballot language.

More: Little Traverse, Springvale townships to vote on Petoskey District Library millage renewal

Little Traverse and Springvale townships are set to vote on a library services millage renewal . The millage request is for 0.4 mills and will be used to help fund the operations of the Petoskey District Library. The millage is asking for a four-year renewal, from 2024-2027.

In addition to the library proposal, voters in Springvale Township will be asked about a 1 mill road maintenance millage. The ask is for a four-year renewal, from 2025-2028, to provide funds for repairing and improving roads within the township. According to the ballot language, an estimated $145,000 would be brought in annually, if approved.

Springvale Township will see an operating millage renewal request to support the fire department on the Aug. 6 ballot. Township voters will be asked about a 1 mill renewal from 2025-2028 to help fund the operation of the fire department.

In West Traverse Township, voters will be asked to consider a 0.25 millage request to be levied from 2024-2027 to support the operation and maintenance of the Thorne Swift Nature Preserve. An estimated $85,000 would be levied in the first year if approved.

Voters in Mackinaw City, part of which is in Emmet County, will be voting on whether or not to approve an $8,090,000 bond proposal, which would be used to furnish and equip additions to the schools, build and remodel classrooms, acquire and install technology and more. If approved, the estimated millage that would be levied for the proposed bonds in 2025 would be 1.95 mills.

Statewide races

The only statewide race featured on the Aug. 6 ballot will be for U.S. Senator. During the primary, you are able to vote for up to one candidate.

Hill Harper and Elissa Slotkin will be running on the Democratic ticket, while Justin Amash, Sherry O'Donnell, Sandy Pensler and Mike Rogers are running on the Republican ticket. You can learn more about the candidates through the Detroit Free Press voter guide .

More: Michigan U.S. Senate Candidates

Michigan House 107th District

Emmet County voters will choose between two Republican candidates in the 107th House district to continue on to the November election.

Incumbent Neil Friske is running against Parker Fairbairn on the Republican ticket. Jodi Decker is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket.

More: Incumbent Friske faces challenger Fairbairn in primary for Michigan's 107th House seat

Emmet County races

Voters will be able to choose who they'd like to see serve as their next Emmet County Sheriff on Aug. 6.

Republicans Randy Kloss and Matt Leirstein are running for the position, looking to take over for Pete Wallin, who has held the position since 2002. Wallin previously announced his plans to retire at the end of 2024.

More: Election Q&A: Get to know your Emmet County Sheriff candidates

Emmet County will be able to vote for what commissioners they'd like representing their districts as well this upcoming election. Districts 1-2 are all contested races in the primary, while districts 3-7 are uncontested races for the primary.

Mike Adams and Mark Sommers are running on the Democratic ticket to serve District 1, which represents Bliss, Cross Village, Carp Lake, Center, McKinley, Readmond and Wawatam townships, along with Pellston and part of Mackinaw City. Charles Laughbaum is running uncontested on the Republican ticket.

Neil Ahrens and Brett Gooding are running to serve District 2, which represents Friendship, Maple River, Pleasantview and West Traverse townships. Both candidates are on the Republican ticket.

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Township races

This Aug. 6, West Traverse Township will see a contested race for the West Traverse Township Supervisor role. Both Dawson Moore and Edward Murphy are running for the position on the Republican ticket.

Resort Township will see two local races on the ballot, including township trustee and township supervisor.

Christian Picciolini and incumbent Bob Wheaton are both running on the Republican ticket for the role of Resort Township Supervisor. No candidates are listed on the Democratic ticket.

More: Election Q&A: Get to know your Resort Township Trustee candidates

Three candidates are running to fill the two open seats for Resort Township trustee positions. Nicholas Cononico, Tim Howard and Alfred Welsheimer are running to fill the seats. All three are running on the Republican ticket. No candidates are listed on the Democratic ticket.

Sample ballots can be viewed through the Michigan Voter Information Center at mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot/Index .

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN .

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: August primary election guide: What's on the ballot in Emmet County?