Copyright M Live Michigan
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI — Polls are open in Kalamazoo County for the Tuesday, Nov. 4 election. Communities across the county will vote on proposals to fund local schools and community resources. Voters in Kalamazoo, Portage and Parchment will select their city council/commission representatives. MORE: A Kalamazoo County voter’s guide to the Nov. 4 ballot Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters can find their sample ballot and polling location online. Early voting has closed, but absentee ballots can be dropped in official ballot boxes or at city and township clerks’ offices until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters should can locate a drop box or office online. The deadline to register to vote online has passed, but citizens can still register in person at their local city or township clerk’s office. In-person registration is available until polls close at 8 p.m. Races and proposals on the ballot will vary depending on where voters live. Here are a few races/proposals to keep an eye on. 3 things to watch: Portage, Kalamazoo, Parchment In Portage, a debate over the city’s single trash hauler ordinance has dominated the election cycle. Challengers Jay Woodhams, Kathleen Olmstead, Jason Mikkelborg and Nasim Ansari have united over the issue — in favor of choice, instead of having one trash hauler for the city. At city meetings, forums and in campaign materials, they have rallied against incumbents Jihan Young, Vic Ledbetter, Terry Urban and Patricia Randall, who supported the ordinance. MORE: Follow the money: How trash and politics are influencing the Portage city election Kalamazoo voters are guaranteed to see at least two new faces on the city commission. Current commissioners Don Cooney and Qianna Decker did not file for reelection on the Nov. 4 ballot. Incumbent commissioner Stephanie Hoffman is one of 10 vying for the three, four-year seats. Mayor David Anderson also faces two newcomer challengers in the race for his seat. MORE: Kalamazoo City Commission election: Candidates share opinions on housing, downtown Parchment voters will select four new city commissioners. They’ll also weigh in on a $32.35 million bond for the Parchment School District. The proposed bond is about $4 million less than one voters rejected on the May 5 ballot. If approved, the bond would average out to 4.29 mills over 30 years. That’s equivalent to about $429 per year in property taxes on a home worth $200,000 (with a taxable value of $100,000). Funds are needed to address safety and security upgrades at the district’s elementary schools and upgrade heating and air conditioning, officials said.
