Election Day!!!
Written by Jesse Baroka on August 4, 2020
IRONWOOD – Today is election day in Michigan as voters face a partisan primary election for many local, state and federal offices, as well as a few local millage requests. The winners of their respective primaries will advance to the Nov. 3 general election. The three countywide proposals that will appear on all ballots are all renewal levies. The first is a 0.60 mill ($0.60 per $1,000 of state taxable value) levy for the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action-Agency senior citizens programs. The second is a 0.33 mill levy for Gogebic County Transit. The third proposal is a 0.4 mill levy for Gogebic County Medical Care Facility building and site improvements. Ironwood voters will have an additional ballot question to consider, the 1 mill renewal levy for the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center. Bessemer Township voters will have the additional ballot question to consider the renewal of the Bessemer Township millage proposal for the general township operating purposes. The voters are asked, “Shall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill tax limitation within Bessemer Township be renewed at 8 mills ($8.00 per $1,000) through 2025?” The county races include three Democratic candidates seeking the office of Gogebic County Sheriff. Incumbent Sheriff Pete Matonich is being challenged by Joseph Cayer and David Kinnunen. There are no Republican candidates in that race. All seven seats on the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners are up for election. The contested races include the 2nd District with Democrats, where incumbent Tom Laabs is being challenged by Michael Wiemeri. The 4th District seat has two Democrat candidates, incumbent James Lorenson is being challenged by Cory Niemela. Voters in Gogebic County’s six townships also have township offices on the ballot in a mix of contested and uncontested races. Voters are going to see social distancing and people wearing masks at the polls today. There will be masks available for anyone who needs one along with hand sanitizer stations. Polls will be open until 8 p.m. tonight.
