6-Year Term - U.S. Senators are elected to six year terms and may be reelected indefinitely.

Elissa Slotkin - Up for re-election in 2030. 

Gary Peters - Not seeking re-election

Candidates seeking the U.S. Senator nomination:

Republican: Mike Rogers

Democratic: Abdul El-Sayed

2-Year Term - Representatives of the U.S. House have two year terms and may be reelected indefinitely.

1st District: 

Republican: Jack Bergman - Currently elected (No longer represents Manistee County)

Democratic: Callie Barr

Libertarian: Arnett Satterla

Green: LaVeta Davenport

Working Class: Liz Hakola

US Taxpayers: Doc Kovaly

Independent: Zebulon Featherly

2nd District:

Republican: John Moolenaar - Currently elected

Democratic: Ben Ambrose

Green: Charlotte Magoon

Natural Law: Richard Sills

4-Year Term - Senators are elected on a partisan basis for four-year terms, concurrent with the election of the Governor of Michigan.

32nd District:  

Republican: Kim Cole

Democratic: Rebecca Amidon

36th District:

Republican: Michele Hoitenga - Currently elected 

Democratic: Mark W. Yonkman

2 -Year Term - Representatives are elected in even-numbered years with the current term expiring on December 31, 2026.

102nd District:

Republican: Curt VanderWall - Currently elected 

Democratic: Angel Coon

104th District: 

Republican: John Roth - Currently elected 

Democratic: Mitchell Ryan Distin

2-Year Term - The City Council is the governing body for the City of Manistee. The council consists of seven members who serve two-year terms. Members are nominated by district but elected at large by voters. Elections are nonpartisan. Terms are staggered with districts 1,3, 5 and 7 elected one year while districts 2, 4 and 6 are elected the next year.

1st District - Julia Raddatz-Thuemmel

3rd District - Cindy Lundberg

5th District - Kay L. Keck (Currently Elected)

7th District - Lani S. Rozga

Member of the State Board of Education

Regent of the University of Michigan

Trustee of Michigan State University

Governor of Wayne State University

Justice of Supreme Court

Justice of Court of Appeals

Justice of Circuit Court

Arcadia Township Trustee

Village of Bear Lake - President

Village of Bear Lake - Trustee

Village of Copemish - President

Village of Copemish - Trustee

Village of Eastlake - Treasurer

Village of Eastlake - Trustee

Village of Kaleva - President

Village of Kaleva - Treasurer

Village of Kaleva - Trustee

Village of Onekama - President

Village of Onekama - Trustee

Dickson Township - Clerk

Community College Board of Trustees Member

Local School District Board Member - Manistee Area Public Schools

Local School District Board Member - Onekama Consolidated Schools

Local School District Board Member - Bear Lake School District

Local School District Board Member - Kaleva Norman Dickson School District

Local School District Board Member - Benzie County Central Schools

Local School District Board Member - Mesick Consolidated Schools

Local School District Board Member - Mason County Eastern School District

The following proposals could appear on your ballot depending on which township you reside.

Proposal 2026-1 A Proposal To Convene A Constitutional Convention For The Purpose Of Drafting A General Revision Of The State Constitution:

• Shall a convention of elected delegates be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the State Constitution for presentation to the state’s voters for their approval or rejection?

Proposal 2026-2 A Proposed Initiated Law To Prohibit Campaign Contributions From Certain Regulated Utilities And Government Contractors And Apply Campaign Finance Laws And Regulations To Additional Types Of Political Communications: The proposal would:

• Prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact them.
• Expand laws regulating spending on political communications, including those requiring disclosing donor information, to apply to communications clearly identifying candidates or ballot questions, even if they do not expressly advocate voting for/against them.
• Expressly apply the law requiring disclosure of who paid for political communications to internet political communications.
  Should this proposal be adopted?

Library Renewal Millage: 

• Shall the expiring previously voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within the County of Manistee, State of Michigan, currently 0.9827 mill ($0.9827 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed and levied for a period of four (4) years, 2027-2030, both inclusive, and shall an additional 0.0173 mill ($0.0173 per $1,000 of taxable value) be approved and levied to restore previous millage reductions under the “Headlee Amendment” since this millage was last approved, resulting in the levy of 1.00 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the County?
• The purpose of this levy is to provide funds to be used for operation and maintenance of the Manistee County Library. It is estimated that a levy of 1.00 mill would provide revenue of $1,649,837 in the first calendar year, of which $28,542 would result from the additional 0.0173 mill. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Manistee County Library.
• A portion of the millage may be subject to capture by and disbursed to one or more tax increment financing entities, including the City of Manistee Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the County of Manistee Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and the County of Manistee Land Bank Authority.

Fire and Emergency Services Millage Proposal: (Filer Township)

• Shall the Charter Township of Filer, Manistee County, Michigan, increase the constitutional limitation on the total amount of general ad valorem taxes imposed upon real and tangible personal property for all purposes in the Charter Township of Filer, Manistee County, Michigan, by two and 85/100 (2.85)  mills ($2.85 per $1,000 of taxable valuation) and levy two and 85/100 mills ($2.85 per $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of five (5) years (2026-2030, inclusive) for the purposes of providing funds for fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue operations, firefighting and emergency services equipment and apparatus, station improvements, staffing, training, and other public safety purposes authorized by law?
• This is a new request for two and 85/100 (2.85) mills for township fire, emergency services, rescue operations, apparatus, station improvements, staffing, training, and other public safety purposes authorized by law.  If approved, it is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year would be $501,703.  The revenues generated by this proposal will be disbursed to the Charter Township of Filer and may be shared by the Charter Township of Filer with a future joint fire authority of which the Charter Township of Filer is a member.  A portion of the millage is subject to capture by and will be disbursed to the Charter Township of Filer Downtown Development Authority.

Manistee Area Public Schools Operating Millage Proposal: 

• This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its full revenue per pupil foundation allowance and restores millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963.
• Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Manistee Area Public Schools, Manistee and Mason Counties, Michigan, be renewed by 18.5593 mills ($18.5593 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 4 years, 2027 to 2030, inclusive, and also be increased by .5000 mill ($0.5000 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 4 years, 2027 to 2030, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2027 is approximately $5,571,456 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2026 levy and the addition of millage which will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963)?

Onekama Consolidated Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal:

• This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2027 tax levy.
• Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 19.3108 mills ($19.3108 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Onekama Consolidated Schools, Manistee County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 5 years, 2028 to 2032, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2028 is approximately $4,328,000 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2027 tax levy)?

Fire Station Bond Proposal: (Bear Lake Township) 

• Shall the Township of Bear Lake, County of Manistee, Michigan, borrow the principal sum of not to exceed Four Million Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($4,065,000), and issue its unlimited tax general obligation bonds payable in not to exceed twenty (20) years from the date of issue, to pay all or part of the cost of acquiring, constructing, furnishing and equipping a new fire station, including all site improvements, appurtenances and attachments?
• If approved, the estimated millage to be levied in 2027 is 1.9532 mills ($1.95 per $1,000 of taxable value) and the estimated average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds is 1.9463 mills ($1.95 per $1,000 of taxable value).

Bear Lake Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal:

• This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2027 tax levy.
• Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 19.1039 mills ($19.1039 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Bear Lake Schools, Manistee County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 5 years, 2028 to 2032, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2028 is approximately $1,313,000 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2027 tax levy)?

Kaleva Norman Dickson School District Operating Millage Renewal Proposal:

• This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2027 tax levy.
• Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18.9702 mills ($18.9702 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Kaleva Norman Dickson School District, Manistee, Lake and Mason Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 5 years, 2028 to 2032, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2028 is approximately $3,373,000 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2027 tax levy)?

Fire Department Renewal Proposition: (Cleon Township)

• Shall Cleon Township, Manistee County, Michigan renew the previous voted increases in the tax rate limitations imposed under article IX, sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in the amount of 1.2021 mills ($1.2021 per $1000 of taxable value), increased by an additional 0.0479 mill ($0.0479 per $1000 of taxable value)  to offset previous millage rollbacks, resulting in a levy of 1.25 mills ($1.25 per $1000 of taxable value) for 5 years, 2027 through 2031 inclusive, for Fire Department operating purposes? The revenue would be disbursed to Cleon Township, and if approved, it is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year the millage is levied would be $59,745.00

Cemetery Renewal Proposition: 

• Shall Cleon Township, Manistee County, Michigan renew the previous voted increases in the tax rate limitations imposed under article IX, sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in the amount of .2403 mills ($0.2403 per $1000 of taxable value), increased by an additional 0.0097 mill ($0.0097 per $1000 of taxable value) to offset previous millage rollbacks, resulting in a levy of .25 mills ($0.25 per $1000 of taxable value) for 5 years, 2027 through 2031 inclusive, for cemetery operating purposes? The revenue would be disbursed to Cleon Township, and if approved, it is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year the millage is levied would be $11,943.00

Benzie County Central Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal:

• This proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance.
• Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Benzie County Central Schools, Benzie, Manistee, Grand Traverse and Wexford Counties, Michigan, be increased by 2.5 mills ($2.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 4 years, 2026 to 2029, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $66,662 (this millage is to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore that reduction)?

Benzie County Central Schools Sinking Fund Millage Proposal:

• This proposal will allow the school district to replace the building and site sinking fund millage previously approved by the electors.
• Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Benzie County Central Schools, Benzie, Manistee, Grand Traverse and Wexford Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed .70 mill ($0.70  on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2027 to 2036, inclusive, to replace the previously approved sinking fund millage with a sinking fund millage for the construction or repair of school buildings; for school security improvements; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used for the maintenance of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of eligible trucks and vans used to carry parts, equipment, and personnel for or in the maintenance of school buildings; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used to maintain such trucks and vans; and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2027 is approximately $942,243 (this is a replacement of millage that expires with the 2026 tax levy)?

Mesick Consolidated Schools Bond Proposal: 

• Shall Mesick Consolidated Schools, Wexford and Manistee Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Seventeen Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($17,100,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor for the purpose of: remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings, primarily the 1966 portion of the elementary building, which will include roof replacements, HVAC improvements, and the creation of a secure entryway; and developing, equipping, and improving sites?

The following is for informational purposes only:

• The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2027 is 3.40 mills ($3.40 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-five (25) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 3.16 mills ($3.16 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

Millage For Operation And Maintenance Of The Maple Grove Township Cemetery

• Shall Maple Grove Township, Manistee County, Michigan reduce the expired previous voted increases in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution from one-half (.50) mill to be reduced to one-quarter (.25) mill ($.25 per $1,000.00 of taxable value), for a period of four (4) years, 2027 through 2030 inclusive, for the purpose of operating and maintaining the Maple Grove Township Cemetery? If the proposition is approved, the millage will be one-quarter (.25) mills.  If it is denied, it will be zero.  It is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year the millage is levied would be $10,985.90.

Renewal For Operation And Maintenance Of The Maple Grove Township Fire Department

• Shall Maple Grove Township, Manistee County, Michigan renew the expired previous voted increases in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution of two (2) mills ($2.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value), for period of four (4) years, 2027 through 2030 inclusive, for the purpose of operating and maintaining the Maple Grove Township Fire Department? If approved, it is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year the millage is levied would be $87,887.23.

Renewal Millage For Operation And Maintenance Of The Maple Grove Township Transfer Station

• Shall Maple Grove Township, Manistee County, Michigan renew the expired previous voted increases in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution of a tax of two (2) mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), for a period of four (4) years, 2027 through 2030 inclusive, for the purpose of operating and maintaining the transfer station concerning refuse disposal? If approved, it is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year the millage is levied would be $87,887.23.

Millage For Operation And Maintenance Of The Maple Grove Township Community Center

• Shall Maple Grove Township, Manistee County, Michigan have an increased millage rate for the Maple Grove Township Community Center overriding the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution of a tax of one and one-quarter (1.25) mills ($1.25 per $1,000 of taxable value), for a period of four (4) years, 2027 through 2030 inclusive, for the purpose of operating and maintaining the Maple Grove Township Community Center?  The previous millage rate was one (1.0) mills ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value). If the proposition is approved, the new millage rate will be one and one-quarter (1.25) mills.  If it is denied, it will be zero.  If approved, it is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year the millage is levied would be $54,929.52.

Fire and Rescue Millage Renewal: (Marilla Township) 

• This proposal reestablishes the 0.6 mill fire and rescue millage previously approved by the electors that expired after the December 2025 levy. Specifically, the proposal renews the previously authorized 0.5847 mills and restores the 0.0153 mills rolled back by the Headlee Amendment.
• Shall  the  previous  voted  increase  in  the  tax  limitations  imposed  under  Article  IX,  Sec  6  of  the  Michigan  Constitution  in  Marilla  Township  of  0.6  mills  ($0.60  per  $1,000  of  taxable  value),  reduced  to  0.5847  mills  ($0.5847  per  $1,000  of  taxable  value)  by  the  required  millage  rollbacks,  be  renewed  at  and  increased  up  to  the  original  voted  0.6  mills  ($0.60  per  $1,000  of  taxable  value)  and  levied  for  four  (4)  years,  2026  through  2029  inclusive,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  funds  for  fire  protection  and  rescue  services  within  the  Township,  which  0.6  mills  will  raise  an  estimated  $14,409 in the first year the millage is levied?

Onekama Township Fire and Rescue Millage Proposition:

• Shall Onekama Township impose an increase of up to 2.5 mills ($2.5 per $1,000 of taxable value) in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution for a period of five (5) years, 2027 through 2031, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for fire protection and emergency medical services, which funds will be disbursed to the Township’s fire/EMS department, to other local units of government or to a fire/EMS authority, for the described purpose, as the Township Board determines proper, which 2.5 mills will raise approximately $604,295 in the first year the millage is levied.

Garbage and Trash Renewal: (Stronach Township)

• Shall Stronach Township, Manistee County, Michigan renew the previously approved override of the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution of one-half (.5) mills ($0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value), be renewed at the original voted one-half (.5) mills ($0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) and levied for four (4) years 2027 through 2030 inclusive, for the purpose of garbage and trash disposal, maintenance and equipment?  If approved, it is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year the millage is levied would be $31, 511.55.

Fire and Emergency Services Millage Proposal: (Stronach Township)

• Shall the constitutional limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all taxable property within the Stronach Township, Manistee County, Michigan, be increased by and the Stronach Township Board be authorized to levy annually an additional millage of up 1/6805 mills ($1.68 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of five (5) years, 2027 through 2031, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue operations, firefighting equipment and apparatus, station improvements, staffing, training and other public safety purposes authorized by law?
• It is estimated that the levy of 1.6805 mills would raise approximately $105, 909 in the first year the millage is levied.

Millage for Fire Department Renewal: (Stronach Township)

• Shall Stronach Township, Manistee County, Michigan renew the previously approved override of the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution of one and one-half (1.5) mills ($1.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value), be renewed at the original voted one and one-half (1.5) mills ($1.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) and levied for five (5) years, 2027 through 2031 inclusive, for the purpose of Fire Department protection, maintenance, equipment and education, If approved, it is estimated that the revenue generated by this proposal in the first year the millage is levied would be $94,534.64.

Mason County Eastern District Operating Millage Proposal (Stronach Township)

• This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law. The school district is required to levy 18 mills for operating purposes to receive its full revenue per pupil foundation allowance.
• Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Mason County Eastern District, Mason, Lake and Manistee Counties, Michigan, be increased by 6 mills ($6.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 8 years, 2026 to 2033, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 0.1474 mill of the 6 mills is levied in 2026 is approximately $19,378 (this millage is to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore that reduction)?

Mason County Eastern District Sinking Fund Millage Proposal (Stronach Township)

• Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Mason County Eastern District, Mason, Lake and Manistee Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 0.0511 mill ($0.0511 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 3 years, 2026, 2027 and 2028, for sinking fund purposes, including for school security improvements; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; for the construction or repair of school buildings; for the purchase of real estate for school sites; for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used for the maintenance of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of eligible trucks and vans used to carry parts, equipment, and personnel for or in the maintenance of school buildings; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used to maintain such trucks and vans; and for all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $14,919 (this millage is to restore millage for sinking fund purposes lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963)?