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Grand Rapids-area voter guide

Grand Rapids-area voters and those statewide will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6, to decide a range of federal, state and local races and ballot proposals.

Candidates for governor and others in the executive branch, U.S. Senate, Congress and the Michigan House and Senate races already make for a crowded ballot. That's before you add county commissioners, city and township officials, school board and community college candidates into the mix.

There is a slew of local tax proposals from school bonds to road and fire millages. Review your ballot in advance on the Secretary of State's website. Clerks want you to remember there is no longer straight-ticket voting.

MLive Media Group has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide candidate information and other voting resources to our Michigan readers.

Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races are now available on MLive via Vote411.org. - the website run by the League of Women Voters.

Here is a list of local races and proposals Kent and Ottawa county voters will weigh in on this general election and links to MLive preview stories.

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Ottawa County schools tax

The Ottawa Area ISD School Board has a regional enhancement millage on the ballot to support traditional public school districts and charter schools.

School leaders say they are not getting enough funding from the state to meet student needs.

Districts would get an extra $226 per student if a proposal for a 0.9-mill, 10-year regional enhancement millage passes. It would raise about $11.2 million the first year.

New school tax would be big boost for Ottawa County students, educators say

The owner of a $100,000 home would pay $45 per year.

Eleven districts in the Ottawa Area ISD would be affected: West Ottawa, Holland, Hudsonville, Coopersville, Allendale, Zeeland, Jenison, Spring Lake, Grand Haven, Hamilton and Saugatuck.

Seven charters would benefit: Black River, Eagle Crest, iCademy, Innocademy, Vanderbilt, Walden Green, West Michigan Academy of Arts and Academics.

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Kent County early childhood tax

By a 13 to 5 vote, the Kent County Board of Commissioners approved a ballot proposal in June that would raise $5.7 million the first year for early childhood programs.

Kent County voters to decide fate of early childhood millage proposal

The 0.25-mill request is for a taxation period from 2018 through 2024 for the purpose of providing "planning, evaluating, and providing early childhood development services to persons up to age 5 and the their parents.''

The millage is estimated to cost a homeowner with a $150,000 house $18.75 per year. No other Michigan county reportedly has such a millage.

Visit the First Steps website for FAQ.

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2nd Congressional District

Four-time Incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, faces Democratic challenger Dr. Rob Davidson, an emergency room physician from Spring Lake.

Republican incumbent faces ER doctor for 2nd Congressional District seat

Ronald E. Graeser with the U.S. Taxpayers Party is the third candidate in the race.

The district covers Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, Lake and Newaygo counties as well as parts of Mason, Allegan and Kent counties.

Huizenga, 49, co-owns Huizenga Gravel Inc. in Jenison. He was first elected to Congress in 2011.

Davidson, 47, has been in emergency medicine more than 20 years. He served on of the Spring Lake School Board since 2015.

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3rd Congressional District

Four-time Republican incumbent Congressman Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township, squares off against Democrat Cathy Albro in the Nov. 6 general election.

Congressman Justin Amash battling Cathy Albro for 3rd Congressional District seat

The district is comprised of Kent, Barry, Ionia, Montcalm and Calhoun counties.

Amash, 38, served in the Michigan House before being elected to Congress in 2011.

Albro, 65, of Middleville, is a former teacher and small business owner.

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Cedar Springs fire station, equipment bond

Voters in the city of Cedar Springs will decide Nov. 6 whether to support a 15-year bond proposal for a new fire station and acquisition of equipment. The principal amount borrowed would not exceed $3.1 million.

The estimated millage to be levied the first year is 3.455363 and the estimate simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds is 3.4290 mills.

According to the city, the cost to a person with a home that has a taxable value of $50,000 would be about $172 per year.

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Grand Rapids School Board

Seven candidates are running for five, four-year seats on the Grand Rapids school board in the Nov. 6 general election.

The top priority of the nine-member body in 2019 will be hiring a new superintendent. Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal announced in September that she was retiring, effective July 1, after seven years.

Learn about them and their thoughts on the next superintendent: 7 candidates running for 5 seats on Grand Rapids school board

The candidates are:

Incumbent Tony Baker , 55, is seeking a third term on the school board. He is executive director of community engagement at Ferris State University and a professor of sociology.

Kymberlie Davis , 36, is an elementary music teacher with Cedar Springs Public Schools. She has been in public education for more than 15 years.

Incumbent Jose Flore s, 65, is seeking a second term on the school board. He is a former GRPS teacher and assistant principal at Union High School. He is the founder of "The Community Voice -La Voz" magazine and owner of La Familia Stop 'n' Shop.

Kimberley Williams , 47, has been a civil rights investigator for the State of Michigan for nearly 20 years. She is an alumni of Grand Rapids Public Schools.

John Matias , 60, is running for a second term on the school board. He is a trauma therapist at Bethany Christian Services and an ordained minister.

Chad Patton , 30, is the director of Customized Workplace English for the Literacy Center of West Michigan a former teacher.

Michael Bukala, 56, is a retired Grand Rapids Public Schools teacher. He taught from 1986 to 2018.

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26th District House

Four candidates are running for the 26th District Senate seat, currently held by the term-limited Sen.Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton.

Four candidates battling for open 26th District Senate seat

The district is comprised of Allegan County, Van Buren County and a portion of Kent County.

The candidates are:

Aric Nesbitt, who is the former Michigan Lottery Commissioner and state representative for the 66th District. He won the Republican primary.

Democrat Garnet Lewis, a small-business owner, former educator and retired Northern Michigan University administrator. She is the chairwoman of the Saugatuck planning commission and a member of the city's board of review.

Libertarian Erwin Haas, a retired physician who served on the Kentwood City Commission from 2013 to 2017.

Green Party candidate Robert Alway, a retired environmental quality analyst for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Natural Resources.

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28th District Senate

Incumbent Republican Peter MacGregor, R-Cannon Township, is squaring off against Democrat Craig Beach and Libertarian Nathan Hewer to retain his 28th District Senate seat.

Republican incumbent faces two opponents to retain 28th District Senate District

The district encompasses the county's northern half and a sliver of its western edge, including the cities of Wyoming, Walker and Grandville.

MacGregor, 52, was elected to the seat in 2014. Before that, he served as a state representative from 2010 to 2014. He's also a small business owner.

Beach, 55, is a social studies teacher at Rockford High School and a former trustee of Ionia County's Otisco Township.

Hewer, 33, is a superintendent with Elzinga & Volkers Construction Professionals, according to his LinkedIn. In 2005, Hewer pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol but below the legal limit as a minor, according to a background check of police records.

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29th District Senate

Two candidates are in a fight for term-limited state Sen. Dave Hilderbrand, R-Lowell Township, 29th District Senate seat.

Will 29th District Seat go red or blue? Michigan is watching

The showdown Nov. 6 is between two-term Republican state Rep. Chris Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township, and Democratic state Rep. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, who is term-limited for the 76th District.

This is deemed one of the races to watch by political strategist because of the buzz surrounding whether it with stay Republican, like it has been for decades, or if Democrats can flip the seat.

Two other candidates are in the race: Libertarian Robert VanNoller and Louis Palau with the Working Class party.

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30th District Senate

There is a three-way race for Ottawa County's open 30th District Senate seat, currently held by the term-limited Republican Senate Majority leader Arlan Meekhof, R-Olive Township.

3-way race for Ottawa County's 30th District Senate seat

Republican state Rep. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, won his party's primary. Victory, 54, owner of Victory Farms is term-limited for the 88th District.

His opponents are Democrat Jeanette Schipper, 41, of Holland, an administrative assistant at the Western Theological Seminary, and Mary Buzuma, 61, of Grand Haven, who is retired from the Navy after 26 years as an intelligence specialist.

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Forest Hills $130M school bond

Voters in the Forest Hills School District will decide Nov. 6, whether to support a 15-year, $130 million bond proposal to create 21st century classrooms and upgrade security and aging infrastructure.

Forest Hills seeking $130M school improvement bond

Superintendent Dan Behn said no tax increase is expected for few reasons, including issuing the authorized bonds over eight years to phase in improvements for the district of nearly 10,000 students.

Fifty-five percent of the funding is going toward creating 21st century classrooms to support dynamic teaching and learning, as well as other improvements such as updating technology.

Around 25 percent of the bond would be used to invest in district infrastructure, including replacing roofs, improving athletic facilities and upgrading mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Upgrading safety and security measures would be represent 20 percent of the bond.

According to the proposal, the estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2019 is 0.45 mill for a 0.10 mill net decrease over the prior year's levy.

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Zeeland Charter Township fire & road proposals

Zeeland Charter Township has two proposals: Fire department renewal and millage increase and a road maintenance renewal and millage increase.

For the fire department, voters are asked if the expired previously voted millage that was reduced to .9764 by a required Headlee rollback can be renewed at and increased up to the originally voted on 1.0 mill for six years, 2019 through 2024. The purpose is to provide operating funds and equipment and apparatus acquisition funds for the department.

The estimated revenue the township would if levied in its entirety the 2019 calendar year is $403,312.

The road maintenance millage also asks voters if the millage reduced to .9764 by required rollback can be renewed at and increased up to original vote at 1.0 mill for six years, 2019 through 2024, to provide funds for the repair, construction, and/or reconstruction of roads, bridges, and/or drainage structures. If levied in its entirety the 2019 calendar year, the millage would raise $403,312.

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Kelloggsville $19M school bond

Kelloggsville Public Schools has a 30-year, $19.2 million bond proposal on the Nov. 6 election.

Superintendent Sam Wright said there will be no tax increase for residents because the proposal results in a continuation of Kelloggsville's current debt millage rate.

Increasing enrollment and need for additional space for elementary students is the main rationale for the bond.

Forest Hills, Kelloggsville bonds among 8 school tax proposals

"The $19.2 million bond is part of a long-range plan to update and modernize our elementary buildings,'' he said, noting the 2015 bond resulted in the renovation of the high school.

Wright said the bulk of the millage is designated for the construction of a new third through fifth-grade building, which is projected to open in Fall 2021. He said the new school would accommodate approximately 475 students.

Safety and security and new playgrounds at West and Southeast are also part of the bond proposal, as well as renovations to the concession stand, athletic facilities and parking at the current football field. i

Once the new elementary building is constructed, Wright said East Elementary, a K-2 building, would be relocated to the current Southeast Elementary location.

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4 running for 2 Kent County Circuit Court seats

Four candidates are seeking to fill two judicial seats on Kent County's 17th Circuit Court.

The seats are open because Judges Donald Johnston and Dennis Leiber are retiring.

4 candidates for 2 judge seats on Kent County Circuit Court

Here are the candidates:

Curt Benton, 58, has worked civil and criminal cases. He is a legal author, tenured law professor.

Alida Bryant, 52, is a staff attorney at the Kent County Defender's Office representing indigent clients.

Elmore, 51, is currently Grand Rapids District Court judge. She won the most votes in the primary. Elmore has served 13 years as a U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General officer and 10 years as an assistant state attorney general

Scott A. Noto, 41, is a former active-duty Judge Advocate General for the U.S. Attorney who serves in that role in the reserves. He has also been a paratrooper in the military.

The candidates answered questions in an online voters' guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive.

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Grand Rapids Community College Trustee race

Four candidates are running for two seats on the Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Board of Trustees in the Nov. 6 general election.

The candidates are: Kathy Crosby, Carlos Sanchez, Sheryl Siegel and Troy Williams.

Trustee Richard Stewart, elected in 2011, opted not to seek reelection, ensuring at least one new board member. In June 2017, Sanchez was appointed to the board to fill the unexpired term of Bert Bleke, who left Michigan. He is running for his first six-year term.

Four running for two seats on the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees

Here is snapshot of those vying for the positions:

Carol Sanchez , 52, of Grand Rapids, is in his sixth year as director of the Latino Business and Economic Development Center created by Ferris State University. The program equips young professionals with the skills to support their upward mobility. Sanchez, has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Davenport University. He has certificate in Innovation and Design Management from Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State and working on his master's degree.

Kathy Crosby , 70, of Grandville, has been CEO and president of Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids since 2006 but is retiring in December and has an emeritus status in transition. She joined the nonprofit, which provides job training and placement services, in 1980. She has an MBA from the University of Maryland, a master's degree in organizational leadership and bachelor's in business administration from Siena Heights University, and an associate degree in business from Oakland Community College.

Sheryl Siegel , 67, of East Grand Rapids, is president of the school board for the charter school, Wellspring Preparatory High School. She co-owns Siegel Jewlers with her husband. A former teacher, she earned her bachelor's in education from Michigan State University. She has been a member of the Wellspring Prep board since 2011 and president since 2016.

Troy Williams, 38, of Kentwood, is the executive director of United in Christ Ministries (UICM) and co-owns Elle Interiors and Custom Furniture with his wife. UICM serves kids who live on Grand Rapids Southwest Side. The ministry offers a variety of after school and evening programming, including tutoring, mentoring, character development programs, as well as meals and a safe space to fellowship. His bachelor's degree is in public and nonprofit administration from Grand Valley State University.

Only Crosby and Sanchez answered questions about their candidacy, education, and experience on an voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group. See their responses here.

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72nd District House

Incumbent state Rep. Steven Johnson, R-Wayland, won his primary for Michigan's 72nd House District.

Johnson, who is seeking a second term, will now square off against Democrat Ron Draayer, a professor emeritus at Davenport University and taught technology and cybersecurity, and Libertarian Jamie Lewis, who list his occupation as a printer.

3-way race for 72nd District House seat

The district covers Kentwood and Gaines Township in Kent County and Wayland in Allegan County.

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73rd District House

Two-term state Rep. Chris Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township, 73rd District House seat is open because he is running for state Senate.

Two candidates are battling to replace him:

Republican Lynn Afendoulis , 59, of Grand Rapids Township, is Chris' cousin. She is the corporate communications director for Universal Forest Products, who won her Republican primary decisively over three other candidates.

Democrat Bill Saxton, 40, of East Grand Rapids, is a self-employed software developer. He did not have an opponent in the primary.

Candidates square off for Michigan's 73rd District House seat

The 73rd District includes the city of East Grand Rapids and the townships of Cannon, Courtland, Nelson, Oakfield, Plainfield, Spencer and Grand Rapids Charter Township.

The candidates answered questions for an online voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group.

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74th District House

Republican state Rep. Rob VerHeulen, R-Walker, is term-limited for the 74th District House seat.

Two candidates are seeking to replace VerHeulen:

Democrat Meagan Carr, 31, of Rockford, is a senior analyst for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Republican Mark Huizenga, 51, is serving his second-term as mayor of Walker. He is also a small business owner providing health care consultation services.

Mayor, analyst compete for Kent County's 74th District House seat

This is a two-year seat for the that district encompasses the cities of Walker, Grandville, Rockford and Cedar Springs, as well as Solon, Tyrone, Sparta, Algoma and Alpine townships.

The candidates answered questions on their policy stances, education, and experience on an online voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group.

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Northview schools operating millage, sinking fund

Northview Public Schools, which has a population of about 3,300 students, has two proposals on the Nov. 6 ballot.

With the state law change in 2017, the district has to get voters to approve the expanded use for sinking fund dollars for security and technology. Previously, the fund was limited to building renovations and repairs. The expanded use won't affect what people are currently paying in taxes.

Superintendent Scott Korpak said the district plans to use the money to construct more secure entrances.

Northview is also asking voters to restore the maximum tax rate of 18 mills for operations.

This non-homestead millage is not paid by owner-occupied or primary residence taxpayers, so it does not affect most residents in the school district. It is paid by business, industrial, commercial and rental properties and those who own second or vacation homes.

The district is losing revenue due to Headlee rollbacks. In a nutshell, Headlee requires a school or government to reduce its millage when annual growth on existing property is greater than the rate of inflation.

The ballot request is for 10 years, 2018 to 2027. The increase of 2 mills for millage restoration would raise $75,575. This year, the district is losing approximately $80,000 from the general fund due to rollbacks

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Rockford schools operating millage renewal

Only non-homestead properties - second homes, rental properties and businesses - pay the district operating millage of 18 mills, not primary residences.

Rockford schools, which has close to 8,000 students, is asking voters to restore its 18-mills for operating purposes, for a period of 4 years, 2019 to 2022.

The proposal includes a request for an increase of .8732 mill to replace millage lost from a Headlee rollback.

The millage is worth $5.5 million, approximately 6.8 percent of the district's budget.

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75th District House

Democrat Incumbent state Rep. David LaGrand, D-Grand Rapids is battling Republican Daniel Schutte and the Green Party's Jacob Straley, for a second term representing Kent County's 75th District in the Michigan House of Representatives.

The district includes the core of the city of Grand Rapids.

Three candidates square off in the 75th District House race

Here's a snapshot of the candidates:

LaGrand, 52, received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College and a law degree from the University of Chicago. He served on the Grand Rapids City Commission from 2007 to 2009, and from 2012 to 2015 was a member of the Grand Rapid Public Schools Board of Education.

Schutte, 63, declined to fill out the candidate questionnaire from the League of Women Voters. In an email to MLive, he identified himself as a pastor, and said he was running for office to "proclaim The Glory and The Gospel Of The Lord Jesus Christ" and to end the practice of abortion.

Straley, 35, is a licensed master electrician. He said he completed electrical vocational school training through the Associated Builders and Contractors in June of 2009. He said his political experience is limited, and that he's been an activist since 2016. He said he helped reestablish the Kent County Green Party and has served as its co-chair.

LaGrand and Straley completed an online voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group. See their responses here.

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76th District House

Democratic Rep. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, is term-limited for the 76th District House seat.

Republican Amanda Brand and Democrat Rachel Hood are on the campaign trail hoping to secure enough votes to replace her in the district that includes the north and southeast parts of the city.

Candidates for 76th District working hard to connect with Grand Rapids voters

Brand, 39, is a marketing manager and community engagement specialist for Mindscape, her family's digital marketing agency.

Hood, 41, is senior project manager for Dig Deep Research, formerly Chase Park Grants, and co-owner of the small business City Built Brewing.

Both candidates answered questions on their policy stances as well as their education and experience for an online voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group. Go here to see all of their responses

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Park Township police/E-unit millage

Park Township voters will decide whether to restore the police/E-Unit millage to the original .67 mills voted on.

As a result of Headlee millage rollbacks over the years, Supervisor Jerry Hunsberger said the millage has been reduced to .6448 mills and the township needs to recapture that revenue.

The levy request is for four years, beginning the calendar year 2019 and ending Dec. 31, 2022, to provide funds for police services, including an E-Unit to provide emergency medical care and police services. If approved, the first calendar year the millage would raise an estimated $713,728.

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Ottawa County tax limitation proposal

Ottawa County voters will be asked Nov. 6 if separate tax limitations should be established for "the County of Ottawa, the townships and intermediate School District." This would be for 10 years, beginning in the 2019 tax year and ending at the end of the 2028 tax year.

According to the county fact sheet:

A yes vote means you wish to maintain the allocation of 5.613 mills as divided: the County (4.44 mills), the Township you live in (1.051 mills) and the Ottawa Area Intermediate Schools (.122 mills). A yes also means you wish to re-establish the maximum allowable tax rate (Headlee) to 5.613 mills.

A no vote means you wish to keep the Headlee rollback tax rate at 5.3506 and give the six-member Tax Allocation Board the authority to allocate the total mills between the County, the Township you live in and the Ottawa Area Intermediate Schools as they see fit.

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Grattan Township road millage

Grattan Township has a road millage on the Nov. 6 ballot. Township leaders are asking voter if they can levy a new additional millage of 1 mil on taxable property within the township for five years, 2018 through 2022, inclusive, to provide funds for gravel public gravel road repair, maintenance, and improvements.

If approved and levied, this millage would raise an estimated $182,359 in the first year of the levy.

All or a portion of the revenues from this millage would be disbursed tot he Kent County Road Commission or other governmental agency for public gravel road repairs, maintenance, and improvements.

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Kenowa Hills schools operating millage proposal

Kenowa Hills is among four Kent County school districts with operating millage proposals on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The non-homestead millage speaks directly to a district's day-to-day operating funds.

Only non-homestead properties - second homes, rental properties and businesses - pay the district operating millage of 18 mills, not primary residences.

Kenowa is requesting voters to restore the operating millage to the full 18 mils for a period of eight years, 2019 to 2026. A 1-mill increase is requested as a result of a millage reduction due to a Headlee rollback.

In a nutshell, Headlee requires a school or government to reduce its millage when annual growth on existing property is greater than the rate of inflation.

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Caledonia schools operating millage proposal

Caledonia Community Schools operating millage proposal asks voters to allow the district to continue to levy an 18-mill non-homestead millage for operating purposes.

Only non-homestead properties - second homes, rental properties and businesses - pay the district operating millage of 18 mills, not primary residences.

The district is asking for the millage to be increased by 1.5 mills for a period of 2 years, 2019 and 2020. The additional millage would only be levied to the extent necessary to restore millage lost from a Headlee reduction.

In a nutshell, Headlee requires a school or government to reduce its millage when annual growth on existing property is greater than the rate of inflation.

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77th District House

Republican state Rep. Tommy Brann, R-Wyoming, will square off against three opponents in the Nov. 6 general election for the 77th District House seat.

4-way race for 77th District House seat

The district includes Byron Township and the city of Wyoming.

Brann, 66, who is seeking a second, two-year term, was first elected to represent the district in 2016. The owner of Brann's restaurants won his party's primary decisively, defeating Jordan Oesch.

He will face Democrat Dana Knight, of Wyoming, who also won her primary. However, She did not fill out the candidate questionnaire for the voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group. Knight also did not respond to additional requests for information. She pleaded guilty in December 2014 to third degree retail fraud, a misdemeanor, according to Michigan State Police records.

There are two other candidates in the race. Libertarian Patty Malowney, 45, who says she is entrepreneur and mother of five. She said she started her small business, the JustMommies.com website, in 2004.

Brandon Hoezee, 33, with U.S. Taxpayers Party. He only listed sales as his occupation on the voter guide.

See how candidates responded to questions about their policy stances, education and experience here.

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86th District House

Republican state Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Vergennes Township, is seeking a second, two-year term representing the 86th District.

He faces two opponents: Democrat Lauren Taylor and Independent Sue Norman.

3 compete for Michigan's 86th District House seat

Here is a snapshot of the candidates:

Albert won his first term in 2016. He is a Marine Corps veteran who previously worked for the Michigan Department of Treasury as an investor for the state's pension system.

Taylor is an entrepreneur who created NO CROW Rooster Collars, a device which trains backyard chickens to crow quietly.

Norman is a self-employed sustainable building consultant and former teacher.

The district includes portions of Kent and Ionia County including the cities of Belding, Ionia and Lowell as well as the townships of Easton, Ionia, Orleans, Otisco, Ada, Bowne, Caledonia, Cascade, Grattan, Lowell and Vergennes.

The candidates answered questions about their policy stances, education, and experience on a voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group. See their voter guide responses here.

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88th District House

Republican state Rep. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, is term-limited for the 88th District House seat.

Luke Meerman, 43, a Coopersville dairy farmer and owner of A&L Machinery and Repair, won the Republican primary.

He now faces Democrat Heidi Zuniga, 44, of Allendale, who is a former teacher for Reeths-Puffer School District. She taught kindergarten, third grade, and special education at the middle school.

Two candidates square off for Ottawa County's 88th District House seat

The district includes residents of Allendale, Georgetown, Tallmadge, Wright, Chester, Coopersville and Polkton townships.

The candidates answered questions about their policy stances, education, and experience on a voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group. See their voter guide responses here.

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89th District House

Republican state Rep. Jim Lilly, R-Park Township, is running for a second term to represent the 89th District of the House of Representatives.

Democrat Jerry Sias, a retired electrician and small-business owner, is his opponent.

Prior to becoming a legislator, Lilly was vice president and commercial banking team leader at Macatawa Bank from 2012 to 2016.

Self-professed blue collar man challenging 89th District Republican incumbent

The 89th District covers the cities of Ferrysburg and Grand Haven, and townships of Blendon, Crockery, Grand Haven, Olive, Park, Port Sheldon, Robinson and Spring Lake.

The candidates answered questions about their policy stances, education, and experience on a voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group. See their voter guide responses here.

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90th District House

Two-term state Republican Rep. Daniella Garcia, R-Holland, did not seek reelection to represent the 90th District to pursue a run for a state Senate.

Two candidates are campaigning to replace her:

Democrat Christopher Banks, 43, of Holland, who current works in quality assurance. He says he has worked over 20 years in manufacturing and 10 years in the automotive industry.

Republican Bradley Slagh, 61, has been the Ottawa County Treasurer the last 10 years. Prior to that office, he served as Zeeland Township supervisor for five years.

Two face off for Ottawa County's 90th District House seat

The candidates answered questions about their policy stances, experience, and education on a voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive. See their response here.

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Mike Krebs | MLive.com

Spring Lake schools operating millage proposal

Spring Lake Public schools is asking voters to renew its 18-mill non-homestead millage for operating purposes for two years, 2019 and 2020.

The non-homestead millage support a district's day-to-day operations. Only non-homestead properties - second homes, rental properties and businesses - pay the district operating millage of 18 mills, not primary residences.

The millage would raise $2.9 million the first year.

In a separate request, voters are ask for a 1.0 mill increase for 2019 and 2020 to be levied only if needed to restore the district operating millage to the full 18 mills due to a Headlee rollback.

In a nutshell, Headlee requires a school or government to reduce its millage when annual growth on existing property is greater than the rate of inflation.

By law districts cannot levy more than 18 mills annually.

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Ottawa County Commission 3rd District

There are 11 Ottawa County Commissioners, who are elected to two-year terms to oversee the government.

The third district is one of two contested in the Nov. 6 election.

Incumbent Republican Ottawa County Commissioner Donald G. Disselkoen, who represents the 3rd District, will face Democrat Doug Zylstra in the Nov. 6 general election for the two-year seat.

Familiar political foes battle again for Ottawa County Commission 3rd District seat

Disselkoen, former mayor of Zeeland, has served on the board since 2004. Zylstra is a familiar opponent, who is challenging him now for a third consecutive time in the reliably Republican district and county.

Both candidates own their own businesses. Disselkoen owns Advanced Marketing Concepts, and Zylstra, past president of the Ottawa County Democratic Party, owns West Side Clothing.

The district is comprised of city of Holland Wards 1,2,3, & 6 and Precinct 3.

MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide candidate information for readers. Candidates were asked to complete questions for a voter guide about their stances on public policy issues, education and experience. See voter guide responses here.

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Ottawa County Commission 4th District

There are 11 Ottawa County Commissioners, who are elected to two-year terms to oversee the government.

There are only two contested races in the Nov. 6 general election for the third and fourth districts.

Incumbent Republican Allen Dannenberg, a realtor for FiveStar Lakeshore, faces Emily Cobbs, of Holland, a production engineer at LG Chem, in the race for the 4th District.

Two competing for the Ottawa County Commission 4th District

Dannenberg, of Zeeland, has served on the commission since 2013 and been a Zeeland City Councilman for 10 years.

The district is comprised of Holland Charter Township precincts 5,9,10 &12, the city of Zeeland, and Zeeland Charter Township precincts 2 & 3.

Only Dannenberg answered questions about his policy stances, experience, and education on a voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive. See his responses here.

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Kent County Commission 12th District

The chief legislative and policy-making body of Kent County government is the 19-member Board of Commissioners. Voters will cast ballots in all but three districts.

Republicans are running unopposed are: Roger Morgan, 3rd District; Harold Voorhees, 8th District; and Emily Post Brieve, 10th District.

The 12th District has three candidates competing for a rare open seat with longtime Republican Commissioner Harold Mast not seeking reelection. The district includes portions of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming.

3 competing for Kent County Commission's open 12th District seat

The candidates are Republican Jill Martinez, Democrat Monica Sparks and Green Party candidate Charlotte Aikens:

Martinez, 42, works in management at Spectrum Health and is endorsed by Mast.

Sparks, 46, is an entrepreneur and real-estate investor who currently serves on the board of the Kentwood Planning Commission.

Aikens, 40, is a nurse at Spectrum Health.

The candidates answered questions about their policy stances, education, and experience on a voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group. See their voter guide responses here.

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Kent County Commission 13th District rematch

Democrat incumbent Kent County Commissioner Betsy Melton is running for a second term representing the 13th District

Longtime Republican Commissioner Dick Vander Molen did not seek reelection in 2016 for the seat that encompasses most of the city of Kentwood.

Melton will have a rematch in the Nov. 6 general election with her 2016 Republican opponent, Jessica Ann Tyson, who she narrowly defeated with nearly 52 percent of the vote.

Kent County Commission's 13th District race is a rematch battle

Melton, 63, is a retired nurse. She served about a decade on the Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education.

Tyson, 46, is a small business owner - JA PR Group and the restaurant, the Candied Yam with a business partner. Her twin sister is running as Democrat in the 12th District.

The candidates answered questions about their policy stances, education, and experience on a voter guide published by the League of Women Voters in conjunction with MLive Media Group. See their voter guide responses here.

The chief legislative and policy-making body of Kent County government is the 19-member Board of Commissioners. Voters will cast ballots in all but three districts.

Republicans running unopposed are: Roger Morgan, 3rd District; Harold Voorhees, 8th District; and Emily Post Brieve, 10th District.

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More Kent County Commission races

The chief legislative and policy-making body of Kent County government is the 19-member Board of Commissioners.

Commissioners are elected to two-year terms. Voters will cast ballots in all but three districts.

Republicans running unopposed are: Roger Morgan, 3rd District; Harold Voorhees, 8th District; and Emily Post Brieve, 10th District.

Below are the other candidates running for Kent County Commission besides the 12th and 13th Districts featured earlier in the slideshow:

District 1 - Incumbent Republican Theodore Vonk faces Democrat Deborah Havens, a freelance producer. The district includes Rockford and part of Plainfield Township.

District 2- Incumbent Republican Thomas Antor, president of Sportslink Inc., faces Democrat Jeremiah Anway. The district includes Sparta Township and Village, as well as Alpine and Algoma townships.

District 4 - Incumbent Republican Diane Jones faces Democrat Kari Smith. The district includes the city of Lowell and Cannon, Grattan, Oakfield, and Vergennes townships.

District 5 - Incumbent Republican Mandy Bolter squares off against Democrat Neville J. Mark. The district includes Bowne, Cascade, and Lowell townships and part of Caledonia Township.

District 6 - Incumbent Republican Stan Stek, attorney with Miller Canfield, squares off against Democrat Pam DeGryse, a retired educational support professional for Grand Rapids Community College. The district includes Walker and part of Grand Rapids.

District 7 - Incumbent Republican Stan Ponstein faces Democrat Mike Johnson, a pharmacy technician at Mercy Health Saint Mary's. The district includes Grandville and part of Wyoming.

District 9 - Incumbent Republican Matt Kallman, vice president of Software Products Compliance Systems, Inc., faces Democrat Bob Smith, production team member for North America Fuel Systems Remanufacturing. The district includes Byron Township and part of Wyoming.

District 11 -Incumbent Republican Jim Saalfeld, board chairman, faces Democrat August Treu, lists his occupation as caregiver. The district representation area includes East Grand Rapids, Ada and Grand Rapids townships.

District 14 - Incumbent Democrat Carol Hennessy, retired health care planning consultant, faces Republican Kyle Brethauer. The district representation area is the city of Grand Rapids.

District 15 - Incumbent Democrat Jim Talen faces Republican Joel Herbert Townsend, a security officer. The district representation area is the city of Grand Rapids.

District 16 - Incumbent Democrat Dave Bulkowski, executive director of Disability Advocates of Kent County faces Republican Jenna VandeKamp, development director for the MOKA Foundation, a non-profit organization that serves individuals with disabilities in western Michigan. The district represents the city of Grand Rapids.

District 17 - Incumbent Democrat Robert Womack, president of WYGR-93.3, squares off against Republican Courtney Panter, legislative director for Republican state Rep. Jim Lily. The district represents the city of Grand Rapids.

District 18 -Incumbent Republican Dan Koorndyk, a State Farm insurance agent, faces Democrat Stephen Wooden, Housing & Community Development Associate, Dwelling Place. The district includes part of Grand Rapids and part of Plainfield Township.

District 19 -Incumbent Democrat Phil Skaggs, legislative director for state Rep. David LaGrand, D-Grand Rapids, squares off against Republican Laurel Abraham, nonprofit organizer. The district includes part of Grand Rapids and part of East Grand Rapids.

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Cascade Township Pathway Millage renewal

Cascade Charter Township has a millage question renewal on the Nov. 6 ballot regarding continued funding for the construction and maintenance of the township's Public Pathway System.

The current Cascade Township pedestrian pathway system, which is composed of approximately 17 miles of pathways was built beginning in 1998 when the residents approved the first pathway millage. The original millage was for 20 years, and the last year of collection for that millage was the 2018 budget.

Cascade seeking pathway millage renewal

Voters will decide if the previously voted increase of 0.4000 mills, reduced to 0.3985 mills due to a Headlee rollback should be renewed at 0.3500 mills for a period of 10 years, 2018 through 2027, inclusive for the purpose of continuation and maintenance of the Public Pathway System.

The millage would raise an estimated $534,500 in the first year of the levy. To the extend required by law, a small portion of the tax revenues, approximately $19,997 the first year of the levy, would be captured and disbursed to the Downtown Development Authority for its use.

The township has answers to frequently asked questions about the proposal on its website.

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Tri County Area Schools bond

Three school districts boundaries crossover into Kent County and are on the Nov. 6 ballot, including Tri County Area Public Schools in Montcalm County. Some areas in Kent will vote on Tri County's $40.7 million improvement bond.

The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is 25 years.

The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 5.381 mills. The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2019 is 3.58 mills for a total estimated 2019 debt levy of 5.381 mills.

The owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 and taxable value of $50,000 would $50 more in taxes than what they current do going from $219 annually to $269.

Here is a some things the bond would support:

Primary focus to move all grades (K-12) to one centralized campus located at the middle and high school site.

New K-5 Elementary that will have larger classrooms to support 21st Century Learning, new gym, cafeteria, kitchen, media center, playgrounds and other support spaces.

Renovations and additions in the MS/HS including science labs, auxiliary gym, cafetorium.

Taking three buildings offline: Sand Lake, Educational Service Center and Edgerton. This will reduce the number of buildings the district maintains.

Visit the district website for the complete list and to calculate the bond tax impact on your household.

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Lakewood schools operating millage renewal

Three schools districts, whose boundaries crossover into Kent County, are on the Nov. 6 ballot, including Lakewood Public Schools in Barry County. Some areas in Kent will vote on Lakewood operating millage renewal.

Lakewood's operating millage proposal asks voters to allow the district to continue to levy an 18-mill non-homestead millage for operating purposes.

Only non-homestead properties - second homes, rental properties and businesses - pay the district operating millage of 18 mills, not primary residences.

Currently, the authorized millage rate is 18.6762 mills. By law, no more than 18 mills can be levied. The request is to renew the millage for a period of five years, 2020 to 2024, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes.

The estimate of revenue to be collected in 2020 is approximately $1.9 million.

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Ordinance amendment

Kent County's Solon Township has Nov. 6 ballot proposal for submission to electors on concerning ordinance No. 18-4-Z amending the township zoning ordinance.

The ordinance would create a new AR-2 Low Density Agricultural Residential District, with a minimum lot size of two acres for new lots, and would rezone numerous lands within the Township to the new AR-2 District, among other matters.

Voters are asked if ordinance should be approved.

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Greenville schools operating millage renewal

Three schools districts boundaries crossover into Kent County are on the Nov. 6 ballot, including Greenville Public Schools in Montcalm County. Some areas in Kent will vote on Greenville's operating millage renewal.

Greenville's operating millage proposal asks voters to allow the district to continue to levy an 18-mill non-homestead millage for operating purposes.

Only non-homestead properties - second homes, rental properties and businesses - pay the district operating millage of 18 mills, not primary residences.

The request is to renew the 18 mills for a period of five years, 2020 to 2024, to provide funds for operating purposes. The revenue estimated to be collected in 2020 is approximately $3.8 million. The current tax levy expires in 2019.

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Other Kent and Ottawa school board races

Besides Grand Rapids Public Schools, multiple Kent and Ottawa county districts have school board elections including:

Forest Hills: Four candidates running for two, six-year seats: Martha W. Atwater, Kris Covelle, Vik Srinivasan and Bob Tsironis.

Four candidates running for two seats on the Forest Hills school board

Srinivasan, group vice president for distribution operations at Meijer, was appointed this year to fill the remainder of the term of Susan Lenhardt, which expired Dec. 31. He was among eight applicants..

Rockford: Four candidates are running for three, four-year seats: Bobbi Jo Blanton, Dante D'Amore, Miles J. Postema, and Timothy J. Lewis.

4 candidates including recent grad running for 3 seats on Rockford school board

Grandville - Four candidates running for two, six-year seats: Paul Cordes,John J. Garbarino, Jason Heyboer and Kimberly Klein.

4 candidates running for 2 seats on Grandville school board

Wyoming: Three candidates are running for two, six-year seats: Brian D. Jirous, Adriana Almanza, and Jennifer Lewis.

3 candidates compete for 2 seats on Wyoming school board

Northview: Six candidates are running for three, four-year seats:

6 candidates square off for 3 Northview school board seats

Michelle L. Gallery

Jeffrey Lambert

Renee Montgomery

Matthew J. Nibbelink

Teresa Ramirez

Gavyn Webb

Byron Center: Five candidates are running for three, four-year seats: Yvonne Boucher, Bruce Dennett, Chuck Fedewa, Jason Pierson, and Don Payment.

Five candidates are also running for one partial term ending Dec. 31, 2020, including Boucher and Dennett. The other candidates are Chuck Fedewa, Don Payment, and Jason Pierson.

4 seats open on Byron Center school board, including partial term

Caledonia: Three candidates running for two, four-year seats: Adam J. Diffenderfer, Jason Saidoo, and Marcy White.

East Grand Rapids: Four candidates are running for three, four-year seats: Natalie Waring Bernecker, Brian Coles, Mike Reid, Janice P. Yates.

Four candidates running for three seats on EGR school board

Godwin Heights: Four candidates are running for three, six-year seats: David Drake, Richard Hamilton Jr., Joseph Januszka, and David Rodriguez.

Kent City: Three candidates are running for two, four-year seats: Glenn A. Crabtree, Bruce Hawley, and Derik Mille.

Comstock Park: Seven candidates are running for four, four-year terms:

Deidra Blazon

Michael Brown

David M. Garland

Kevin T. McLellan

Roman Rodriquez

Daniel Rowland

Ted Spangenberg

Jenison: Three candidates are running for two, six-year seats: Incumbents Jen Postema and Amanda E. Peterman, and Thomas Fantin.

Allendale: Five candidates are running for two, six-year seats:

Joe Jacquot

Elliot J. Richards

Kim Cannata

Lukas Schoenborn

Carl Hilton

West Ottawa: Five candidates are running for four, four-year seats:

Incumbent Kate McCoy

Incumbent Randy Schipper

Incumbent Susan A. McKanna

Incumbent Darrin C. Duistermars

Todd M. Schmitz

Grand Haven: Five people are running for two, six-year seats:

Amy Masko

Incumbent Christine Baker

Incumbent Chris Streng

Stephen Rockman

Kevin Moore

To see all school board races visit the Kent or Ottawa county websites.

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More election coverage

On Nov. 6, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

The city of Grand Rapids is offering weekend opportunities for absentee voting:

Saturday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The mailed absentee ballot deadline is 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.

The in-person absentee voting deadline is 4 p.m. Nov. 5. You must vote in the Clerk's Office. You will not be able to take the ballot with you.