Early voting continues for Oceana County through Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hart Community Center, 407 S. State St. This year's general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and voting precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Election day will determine a number of local positions, millages, and proposals, in addition to the federal and state races. Many county races are unopposed, so the following is a listing of only the contested races and proposals:
• Road Commissioner - one 6-year term: George Heath (D) and Bill Myers (R).
• County Commissioner (Oceana County/2nd District - Ferry and Shelby Townships) - one partial term ending Dec. 31, 2028: Write-in Candidates: Ross Field (NPA), Andy Near (NPA), Micah Johnson (NPA), Andrew Heykoop (NPA), and Rod Studer (NPA).
• Council Member (City of Hart) - three 4-year terms: Andrew T. Mullen (NP), Betty L. Root (NP), Tim Kersjes (NP), Jim Evans (NP), and Catalina Burillo (NP).
• Trustee (Village of Pentwater) - three 4-year terms: Jared Griffis (NP), Tarra Perez (NP), Kathleen O'Connor (NP), and Write-in Candidate Claudia Ressel Hodan (NP).
• Trustee (Village of Rothbury) - three 4-year terms: Dylan Zuniga (NP), Marieanne Canales (NP), Jim Fekken Jr. (NP), Jeffery Krukowski (NP), Trisha Meitner (NP), and Autum Bridget Drake (NP).
• Trustee (Village of Shelby) - three 4-year terms: Steve Crothers (NP), Curt Trott (NP), Dan Zaverl (NP), and Lisa Fleury (NP).
• Local School District Board Member (Fremont Public Schools) - two 6-year terms: Nicole Hall (NP), Jennifer Scott (NP), and Write-in Candidate Jeremy Parker (NP).
• Board Member (Hart Public Schools) - four 4-year terms: Joy Stuckey (NP), Kayla Dennert (NP), Andy Carter (NP), Heather A. Hallack (NP), Jordon Walsworth (NP), Irma Hinojosa (NP), and Kaleb Klotz (NP).
• Local School District Board Member (Holton Public Schools) - three 4-year terms: Amy M. Brookhouse (NP), Sarah Hippler (NP), Andy O'Riley (NP), and Eric Rothoff (NP).
• Board Member (Mason County Central Schools) - four 4-year terms: Margaret Greiner (NP), Steven A. Griswold (NP), Gena Nelson (NP), Barry Pleiness (NP), Darrell Storvik (NP), and Stephanie Stakenas (NP).
• Board Member (Montague Area Public Schools) - two 6-year terms: Amanda Dahl (NP), Jen Hain (NP), and Benjamin Rupert (NP).
• Board Member (Shelby Public Schools) - three 6-year terms: Paulette Zoulek (NP), Erin Stark (NP), Steven J. Vinke (NP), Brian J. Hicks (NP), and Craig A. Sawyer.
City of Hart Proposal
Public Safety Millage Proposal
Shall the City of Hart, County of Oceana, Michigan, be authorized to levy a new additional millage of up to 2.0000 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) against all taxable property in the City for a period of four (4) years, 2027 through 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for police protection, fire protection, emergency response services, public safety personnel and training, vehicles, apparatus, equipment, facilities, technology, capital improvements, and related public safety operational expenses?
If approved and levied in full, the new additional millage is estimated to raise approximately $129,596 in the first year of the levy. All revenue from the millage will be disbursed to the City of Hart for the purposes stated above.
Crystal Township Proposals - Fire Department Operating Millage Renewal Proposition
Shall the previously authorized millage rate limitation under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes in Crystal Township, Oceana County, Michigan, of 2.0 mills ($2.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation), reduced to 1.9274 mills ($1.9274 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) by the required millage rollbacks under the Headlee Amendment, be renewed and restored to the originally voted 2.0 mills ($2.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) by an increase of 0.0726 mills ($0.0726 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation), and levied for a period of four (4) years, 2027 through 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for the operation and maintenance of the fire department?
It is estimated that a levy of 2.0 mills would provide revenue of $62,450 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Crystal for the operation and maintenance of the fire department.
Fire Equipment Millage Renewal Proposition
Shall the previously authorized millage rate limitation under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes in Crystal Township, Oceana County, Michigan, of 0.5 mill ($0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation), reduced to 0.4818 mill ($0.4818 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) by the required millage rollbacks under the Headlee Amendment, be renewed and restored to the originally voted 0.5 mill ($0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) by an increase of 0.0182 mill ($0.0182 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation), and levied for a period of four (4) years, 2027 through 2030 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for the purchase and maintenance of firefighting tools, equipment, and gear?
It is estimated that a levy of 0.5 mill would provide revenue of $15,612 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Crystal for the purchase and maintenance of firefighting tools, equipment, and gear.
Road Improvement Millage Renewal Proposition
Shall the previously authorized millage rate limitation under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes in Crystal Township, Oceana County, Michigan, of 2.0 mills ($2.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation), reduced to 1.9274 mills ($1.9274 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) by the required millage rollbacks under the Headlee Amendment, be renewed and restored to the originally voted 2.0 mills ($2.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) by an increase of 0.0726 mills ($0.0726 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation), and levied for a period of four (4) years, 2027 through 2030 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for the improvement and maintenance of public roads and rights-of-way located in the Township of Crystal?
It is estimated that a levy of 2.0 mills would provide revenue of $62,450 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Crystal for the improvement and maintenance of public roads and rights-of-way located in the Township of Crystal.
Newfield Township Proposal
Fire Protection Millage Renewal Proposition
Shall the previously authorized millage rate limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec #6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Newfield Township be established at up to 1.0000 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000.00 of taxable value be renewed and levied for a period of 2 years, 2026 to 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for the purpose of Fire Protection.
It is estimated that a levy of 1.0000 mill would provide revenue of $98,648 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Newfield for the operation and maintenance of the fire department and is a renewal of the previously approved millage which expired with the 2025 levy.
