Hello,
Included in this month’s newsletter is an introduction to our Kent County Elections Team, information on a new way to vote – Early Voting, and information on the County’s next election, which is the Presidential Primary Election on Tuesday, February 27th. Should you have questions, please contact Kent County Elections Director Mike Sullivan, at michael.sullivan@kentcountymi.gov or 616-632-7657.
Sincerely,
Lisa Posthumus Lyons
Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds
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Presidential Primary Election – Tuesday, February 27
The next election within Kent County is the Presidential Primary Election on Tuesday, February 27. Michigan election law requires that a voter must indicate in writing which political party ballot they wish to vote in the Presidential Primary Election. Cities or townships that have a local proposal may offer a third ballot option containing only that proposal. Our office also recently released a press release reminding voters of this requirement. For more information, see MCL 168.615c.
Election Inspectors Needed!
Recently our office sent a press release and Clerk Lyons conducted several news interviews regarding the need for additional election inspectors to work during the Presidential Primary Election. Please click here to view that press release. Further information regarding becoming an election inspector can be found by clicking here.
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Early Voting
 With the passage of Proposal 2-2022, Michigan voters amended the State Constitution to require 9-days of early voting prior to each State or Federal Election. This starts the second Saturday before and ends the first Sunday before Election Day. Early voting procedures are just like Election Day – show up, complete a voter application, mark your ballot, and place it into the tabulator. To view your city or township’s early voting location and schedule, click here.
Meet Your Kent County Elections Team!
Mike Sullivan, Elections Director
Mike joined the County in May of 2023 and heads up our Elections Department. He received a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science and Masters in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University. He has 7 years of experience within state & local government and elections, most recently completing a graduate internship in the Ada Township Manager's office.
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Betsy Pelkey, Senior Administrative Specialist
Betsy joined the County in December of 2022. She assists with election inspector trainings, independent audits following each election, and assists local clerks with election preparation. She has several years of election experience, most recently serving as the Sparta Township Deputy Clerk.
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Holly Hoffmann, Clerk III
Holly has worked for Kent County for over 10 years, but has worked with the Elections team since November of 2020. She assists with overseeing campaign finance, election programming, and ballot preparation.
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Abby Hayden, Clerk III
Abby is the newest member of our Elections team starting in December of 2023. Abby assists with candidate filings, billing and invoicing, and responding to general public questions regarding elections. She most recently served as a Sparta Township Election Inspector and as the Casnovia Township Deputy Clerk.
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Daniel Sandoval, Intern
Daniel is a Senior at Grand Valley State University, studying Political Science, and will be with us for the winter semester.
Campaign Finance Corner
All committees had an annual statement due January 31, 2024, unless your candidate or proposal was on the ballot for the November 7, 2023 election. If you did not file, please do so as soon as possible. We strongly encourage candidate committees file this through the County E-File system though you may submit it by scanning it into an email to campaignfinance@kentcountymi.gov, mailing it to the address above, or by submitting it to our office in-person. The County E-File system filing option is not available to PACs or ballot question committees. For a list of reporting due dates for this election cycle, click here.
2024 Election Calendar
Presidential Primary: Tuesday, February 27
May Election: Tuesday, May 7
State Primary Election: Tuesday, August 6
General Election: Tuesday, November 5
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