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KENT COUNTY, MI – Grand Rapids area voters headed to the polls on Tuesday will cast general election ballots for candidates in local races and determine multiple tax requests. City council/commission and several mayoral races will be on the ballot. Kent County voters will also decide whether to approve a millage that aims to suppress, monitor and control invasive spongy moths, along with five school district bond requests. Polls open Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters can go to Michigan.gov/vote to find their sample ballot and polling location. While the deadline to register to vote online has passed, people can still register in-person at their local city or township clerk’s office. In-person registration is available from now through when polls close at 8 p.m. People must bring proof of eligibility and residency when registering to vote. A list of what can be brought to prove eligibility and residency can be found on the state’s website, at this link. For those wanting to cast their ballots in person during the November election but beat any Election Day lines, Michigan is offering nine days of early voting through Sunday, Nov. 2. Voters can find their local early voting sites and hours at Michigan.gov/EarlyVoting. Here’s a roundup of local races and proposals on Tuesday’s Kent County primary ballot: Kent Intermediate School District millage proposal The Kent Intermediate School District (ISD) is asking voters in the Nov. 4 election to approve a 10-year regional enhancement millage that would levy 0.9 mills, or $0.90 on each $1,000 of a home’s taxable value. It will provide funding to local schools for special education, college-readiness programs, career and technical training, and more. If approved, the proposal would renew and increase a millage that’s set to expire in 2026. The ISD would collect the funds levied by the 0.9-mill tax and distribute the money to all public and charter schools within the taxable boundaries of Kent ISD, which together serve nearly 100,000 students. The funding would be distributed to each school based on the student population size. RELATED: Kent County voters asked to renew school millage in Nov. 4 election Cedar Springs City Council (four-year term) Four people are running for two open spots on the Cedar Springs City Council. The candidates on the ballot are Rose Ellen Powell, Jacob Puckett, Lisa Atchison and Jill Owen. East Grand Rapids City Commission (four-year term) Half a dozen candidates are vying for three seats on the East Grand Rapids City Commission, including a 1st, 2nd and 3rd Ward seat. Incumbent Kate Skaggs is running against Jonathan Paasch in the 1st Ward. Incumbent Chris Wessely is running against Erica Dunten and Michael Stelter in the 2nd. Incumbent Laura Schwartz is running unopposed in the 3rd Ward. Grandville mayor (four-year term) One person is running for a chance to be the next mayor of Grandville. Current Mayor Steve Maas is running unopposed on the Nov. 4 ballot for a fourth term, after serving since 2013. Grandville City Council (four-year term) Five candidates are vying for three seats on the Grandville City Council. Candidates on the ballot include incumbent Randy Gelderloos, Mike Sullivan, Jason Flanigan, Sue Merrell and Tim Tanner. City of Kentwood mayor (four-year term) Two candidates are facing off to become the City of Kentwood’s next mayor. Incumbent Mayor Stephen Kepley is being challenged by Kent County’s 12th District Commissioner Monica Sparks. The winner on Nov. 4 will serve as Kentwood’s mayor for the next four years. Kentwood has a strong-mayor form of government, which means the mayor is also the head administrator for the city, managing day-to-day operations. RELATED: Incumbent mayor challenged by county commissioner in Kentwood mayoral election Kentwood city clerk (four-year term) Two candidates are in the running for the Kentwood clerk position: Cameron Duffey and Ana Jose. A third candidate has since exited the race, and incumbent Dan Kasunic is not seeking reelection. Kentwood treasurer (four-year term) Candidate Laurie Sheldon is running unopposed to fill the Kentwood treasurer seat. Kentwood City Commission (four-year term) Three candidates are running unopposed for three seats on the Kentwood City Commission - with a Ward One, Ward Two and at-large seat each open. Clarkston Morgan is running in the First Ward, with Jessica Ann Tyson running in the Second and Betsy Artz running for the at-large seat. Lowell City Council (two or four-year term) Four candidates are vying for three seats on the Lowell City Council. Candidates receiving the first and second-highest number of votes will be elected to the four-year term, while the third-highest vote recipient will be elected to the two-year term. Incumbents Mark Ritzema, James Salzwedel and Marty Chambers will be challenged by Beryl Bartkus. Byron Township community center proposal The Byron Township proposal is asking voters to approve a 2% tax on all hotels in the township, funding that would be used to raise money for the repair, maintenance and expansion of the Byron Township Community Center at 2120 76th St. SW. The facility hosts various programs and events for youth and adults, and also serves as a fitness facility. The proposed hotel tax applies to all businesses providing lodging for less than 30 consecutive days. For a one-night stay at $107 per night, that would add $2.14 to the total cost, in addition to other taxes and fees. If passed, the levy would go into effect Jan. 1. It is expected to raise around $200,000 in the first year. RELATED: Byron Township proposes 2% excise tax on hotels Lowell Township spongy moth suppression millage The Lowell Charter Township proposal would increase a millage that aims to suppress, monitor and control the invasive spongy moths. The millage 0f 0.50 mills, or 50 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, would be in effect for three years through 2027. The average homeowner of a $200,000 house, which has a taxable value of $100,000, would pay about $50 annually. RELATED: Lowell voters to consider new millage to defend trees from invasive moth on Nov. 4 ballot Byron Center Public Schools bond Byron Center Public Schools is asking voters to approve a $110 million, 30-year bond request on Nov. 4 that would renovate classrooms and arts spaces, replace aging infrastructure and create a new athletic stadium. RELATED: Byron Center schools is asking voters for $110 million bond in Nov. 4 election East Grand Rapids Public Schools sinking fund East Grand Rapids Public Schools is asking voters to approve a 10-year, half-mill levy for a sinking fund used to cover costs of construction or repair of school buildings. The fund would also improve security, acquire/upgrade technology and buy and maintain student transportation vehicles. RELATED: East Grand Rapids schools seek voters’ approval for millage for district improvements Godwin Heights Public Schools bond Voters in the Godwin Heights Public Schools district will decide Nov. 4 on a 25-year, $44.5 million bond for partial remodels and upgrades, with a focus on safety and security. School leaders are emphasizing that a yes vote would not mean a tax rate increase. The district includes six buildings total, but the ones affected by the bond include the Godwin Heights Early Childhood Center, West Godwin Elementary, North Godwin Elementary, Godwin Heights Middle School and Godwin Heights High School. RELATED: Godwin Heights schools asking voters for $44.5M bond for schools, bus upgrades Grandville Public Schools operating millage renewal The operating millage is needed to provide operating cash to fund day-to-day operations. The current operating millage rate authorized is set to expire in December 2026. Michigan school districts are required to request voters authorize them to levy 18 mills on non-homestead properties - businesses, second homes and commercial property - not primary residences, to receive their full per pupil foundation allowance from the state. Voters are asked to allow the school district to continue to levy the 19 mills. By law districts can’t levy more than 18 mills a year. Grandville Superintendent Roger Bearup said the community authorized the additional 1-mill as a buffer to maintain the millage at 18 mills in case of a future Headlee rollback that would lower the rate below the needed 18 mills. RELATED: Voters to decide Grandville schools tax proposals for operating cash, repairs in November Grandville Public Schools sinking fund millage The proposal is for voters to restore the sinking fund millage to 1.4 mills – or $1.40 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation for a 10-year period spanning from 2027 to 2036. The millage was reduced to 1.3502 after a Headlee rollback. At 1.4 mills, if approved, the district would collect an estimated $3.38 million in 2027. The funds would be used for building and repairing school infrastructure, enhancing security, upgrading technology, and purchasing transportation vehicles. Rockford Public Schools bond Rockford Public Schools is requesting voters approve a $230 million bond proposal in November, part of an effort to upgrade and renovate school buildings. The bond proposal on the Nov. 4 election ballot would fund district-wide improvements to 14 school buildings and sites, including adding air conditioning to all remaining school buildings without it and installing electronic classroom door locks. It would also cover the construction of the “Ram Center,” a new indoor turf field house for athletics and community recreation. The district enrolled 7,509 students as of the 2024-25 school year, according to state data. RELATED: Rockford Public Schools asking for $230M bond for building upgrades, new field house Tri County Area Schools sinking fund Tri County Area schools - located in Kent, Montcalm and Newaygo counties - is asking for a 1.5 mill levy ($1.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 10 year period, through 2035. The funds would create a sinking fund for school security improvements, along with building repairs, new technology and transportation vehicles. If approved, the school district would collect $994,014 in 2026. Wyoming Public Schools sinking fund millage Wyoming Public Schools is asking residents to vote “yes” on a 10-year sinking fund millage renewal this November. The proposal is to renew the school system’s current sinking fund millage of .4595 mills — less than 46 cents on each $1,000 of taxable property value — for 2026 through 2035. For a home with a $100,000 taxable value, the millage amounts to $45.95 in taxes per year. RELATED: Voters to decide whether to renew repair funding for Wyoming schools Wyoming Public Schools bond Wyoming Public Schools is asking residents to approve a new bond for 2026 that will help fund critical projects across the school system. The 2025 bond proposal totals $29.75 million to complete projects identified in the WPS Master Facilities Plan, including new learning spaces for students, air conditioning and secure entrances in remaining buildings, elementary media center updates and a gym addition at Gladiola Elementary School. RELATED: Wyoming schools seek $30M bond approval for 2026 projects
