Blanket Ballots Await Lakeshore Voters on Election Day

UNDATED (WHTC-AM/FM, Nov. 5, 2024) – A two-sided ballot awaits voters along the Lakeshore on this General Election Tuesday.

Topping the ticket are the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, with Kamala Harris/Tim Walz vying against Donald Trump/JD Vance to succeed Joe Biden/Kamala Harris on January 20^th. There are minor party candidates as well.

In Michigan, Mike Rogers and Elisa Slotkin are vying to succeed Debbie Stabenow in the US Senate, with minor party candidates as well.

The Lakeshore is part of three US House Districts, with incumbents Bill Huizenga (4^th), John Moolenaar (2^nd) and Hillary Scholten (3^rd) challenged primarily by Jessica Swartz (4^th), Michael Lynch (2^nd) and Paul Hudson (3^rd). There are minor party candidates in all three races as well.

All of the state House seats are up for grabs:

• 38^th District – Joey Andrews (I) v. Kevin Whiteford
• 39^th District – Pauline Wendzel (I) v. Kerry Tapper
• 42^nd District – Matt Hall (I) v. Austin Marsman
• 43^rd District – Rachelle Smit (I) v. Danene Shumaker
• 79^th District – Angela Rigas (I) v. Jason Rubin
• 85^th District – Brad Slagh (I) v. Marcia Mansaray
• 86^th District – Nancy DeBoer (I) v. Abby Klomparens
• 88^th District – Greg VanWoerkom (I) v. Tim Meyer
• 89^th District – Luke Meerman (I) v. Lois Maassen

All Ottawa County Board seats are contested, with some having write-in hopefuls:

• 1^st District – James Barry v. Danielle Smith (incumbent Gretchen Cosby a write-in)
• 2^nd District – Chris Kleinjans (I) v. Jordan Jorritsma
• 3^rd District – Doug Zylstra (I) v. Orlando Estrada
• 4^th District – Jacob Bonnema (I) v. Chris Crothers (Rob Thurkettle a write in)
• 5^th District – Joe Moss (I) v. Jon Rabideau
• 6^th District – Kendra Wenzel (I) v. Michelle Dieleman
• 7^th District – John Teeples v. Heather Majestic
• 8^th District – Sylvia Rhodea (I) v. Becky Patrick
• 9^th District – Phil Kuyers v. Angela Stanford-Butler (incumbent Roger Belknap, Scott Muellerleile write ins)
• 10^th District – Josh Brugger v. Oliver Shampine
• 11^th District – Allison Miedema (I) v. Keith Courtade

Other county contested races include: Ottawa County Water Resources Commissioner Joe Bush versus Karen Matchett; Derek Dalman v. Michael Zitta for 20^th Circuit Court Probate Judge; and Emily Jipp v. Elizabeth Peterson for 48^th Circuit Court Judge.

The following communities have contested trustee or council races: Allendale, Allegan Township, City of Allegan, Casco, Cheshire, Douglas, Holland Township, Laketown, Lee, Martin, Park, Plainwell, Polkton, Port Sheldon, Robinson, City of Saugatuck, Spring Lake, Trowbridge, Wayland, Wright, Zeeland Township.

The following school districts have contested board races: Allendale, Grand Haven, Hamilton, Hopkins, Hudsonville, Jenison, Plainwell, Wayland, West Ottawa.

There are proposals in the following communities and school districts: Chester, Crockery, Fennville schools, Ferrysburg, Heath, Leighton, Olive, Overisel, Park, Plainwell schools, Salem, Tallmadge, Trowbridge, Wright, Zeeland Township.

Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM. Check here for Ottawa County voter information, and here for Allegan County voter information.