KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — We may be 99 days out from the presidential election, but we are just one day away from going to the polls for the 2016 primary.
House, county commission, and county officials are on the ballot Tuesday.
Kalamazoo County Clerk Tim Snow said, in some of the township races, the primary vote will decide who will get the seats because all the candidates are in one party or the other. He said it’s hard to predict what turnout might look like because there are no major county-wide funding issues on the ballot.
Snow said they aren’t anticipating lines at the polls for this one.
He said there is more competition than usual challenging incumbents at the county level. There are some localized funding issues in the townships and a senior renewal in Comstock Township. Wakeshma Township voters will be asked to approve a millage for fire protection.
Kalamazoo Township Clerk Don Thall said this isn’t like other elections. You have to pick a party and stick with just those candidates. If a voter crosses over, the tabulator will reject your ballot and a new ballot will be issued along with an explanation.
He said Democrats are running against Democrats and Republicans against Republicans for a spot on the November ballot.
There are five write-in candidates seeking seats on the Oshtemo Township board. Their names won’t appear on the ballot, but they hope enough voters will write them in to win.
