The 2026 August Primary is about to get underway. This is your opportunity to decide which candidates will faceoff against the democrats. The offices to be decided in this Midterm Election will have a huge impact on how Michigan will be run and whether President Trump will be able to continue with his Make America Great Again agenda. If the democrats win, as promised, President Trump will face another impeachment circus, and we could face higher taxes, non-citizens being allowed to vote, open borders, and rampant fraud, waste and abuse.
Here is what to expect on your ballot here in Kalamazoo County. At the top of the ballot will be the race for Governor. You must pick one candidate to face the democrat challenger in November. Your choices are: Rep. John James https://johnjamesmi.com/about-john-james/, Mike Cox https://mikecox2026.com/, and Perry Johnson https://www.perryjohnson.com/. State Sen. Aric Nesbitt has dropped out of the race, but will still appear on the ballot because of the late timing.
Mike Rogers is your only candidate for U.S. Senate https://rogersforsenate.com/.
In the U.S. Congressional race, the 4th District will include Rep. Bill Huizenga https://huizengaformichigan.com/, and Philip Tanis https://tanis4congress.com/. In the 5th district, your only candidate is Rep. Tim Walberg https://www.walbergforcongress.com/.
In the race for State Senate 18th district is Thomas A. Albert https://www.votealbert.com/. In the 19th district, which is currently held by Sean McCann who is term limited out, is Shaun Young https://www.facebook.com/p/Shaun-Young-61576481740383/.
Your candidates in the State House are: 40th district is Robert Sitarski https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Sitarski, 41st district is Nicole Sabel https://votesabel.com/, the 42nd district is State Representative and Speaker of the House Matt Hall https://www.electmatthall.com/, and in the 45th district is Sarah Lightner https://electsarahlightner.com/.
In local races, two candidates are running in Richland Township for partial terms. Tami Penny is running for clerk, and Jason Ramer is running for treasurer. There are no Republican candidates running for open seats in Kalamazoo Township.
In the non-partisan section of the ballot are the judicial positions.
Judge of Appeals – 1st District Incumbent Mariam Saad Bazzi.
Judge of Appeals – Incumbent Anica Letica.
Judge of Appeals – Incumbent Christopher M Murray.
Judge of Appeals – 1st District Partial-Term Incumbent Andrew J Lievense.
Circuit Court Judge – 9th Circuit Incumbent Gary C Giguere Jr.
Probate Court – Incumbent Tiffany A. Ankley
8th District Judge of District Court – Incumbent Kathleen P Hemingway
8th District Judge of District Court – Non-Incumbent Mark A Holsomback
8th District Judge of District Court – Non-Incumbent Rachel Vinales
There are numerous millages on the ballot in August to consider:
- Kalamazoo County Childcare \ Early Learning Millage
- Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority Millage
- Texas Township Fire Department Millage
- Athens Area Schools Operating Millage
- Lawton Community Schools Operating Millage
- Plainwell Community Schools Operating Millage
- Otsego District Public Library Millage
You will also see candidates for Precinct Delegate in your voting district.
Absentee ballots for the August Primary will be available at your local clerk’s office this Thursday, June 25th. They will be mailed out sometime next week. If you are not already, be sure to sign up to be on the permanent absentee ballot list at your local clerk’s office. That way you never miss an election!
State mandated early voting begins Saturday, July 25th and runs through Sunday, August 2nd. For more information on times and locations for early voting here in Kalamazoo County follow this link https://www.kalcounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6400/Early_Voting_One_Pager_Clerk_Letterhead?bidId=.
And of course, Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. On Election Day, polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. VOTE!