Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By TOM LAVENTURE
Bessemer — Don’t forget that Tuesday is Presidential Primary Election Day in Michigan.
All voting precincts in Gogebic County will have the same three ballots for each voter to choose from.
Voters who choose either the Democratic ballot or Republican ballot will also have the 911 operational surcharge proposal question on each of them. Voters who do not wish to vote in the presidential primary have the option of choosing a separate 911 Operational surcharge proposal only ballot.
“The Voter must decide which ballot they want to vote, because the election is a closed primary,” said Gerry Pelissero, clerk of court, and register of deeds for Gogebic County. “All 11 precincts have the same ballot questions, Democrat, Republican or the proposal only.”
There are 15 candidates and one uncommitted choice listed on the Democratic ballot. Some candidates have announced they have ended their campaigns but are still eligible to appear on the ballot.
There are three candidates and one uncommitted choice listed on the Republican ballot. Some states have allowed only the current Republican president to appear on the Republic primary ballot but Michigan has allowed eligible contenders on the ballot.
The yes/no “911 Operation Surcharge” question would authorize Gogebic County to assess a monthly operational surcharge of up to and not to exceed $3 from July 1 through June 2025. The surcharge would be applied to monthly billings of landline, wireless and VOIP service within Gogebic County to fund 911 emergency call and dispatch service to include facilities, equipment and operations.
Voter can visit the Michigan Secretary of State’s website to preview their ballot and find their polling location.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said the security of Michigan’s elections has been stepped up ahead of the presidential primary in a recent announcement. The state has an election security expert, has joined the national Electronic Registration Information Center to ensure accuracy of voting rolls, and partnered with the Department of Homeland Security to test the system.
“Despite the attempts to meddle in our elections that have been reported at a national level, Michigan’s elections system is more secure than ever, and voters should have full faith that every vote will be counted and results will be reported accurately,” Benson said.
The Michigan state primary is Aug. 4.
The Wisconsin presidential primary is April 7. The Wisconsin state primary is Aug. 11.
The Presidential Election is Nov. 3.
