Welcome TO KALAMAZOO VOTER GUIDE
Not endorsed by any party or candidate.
WHERE DO I Vote?
Enter your address and find your voting location and check if you are registered to vote.
To register to vote up to and on the day of the election, you will need to bring proof of residency and eligibility to your local clerk’s office.
How to register to vote: Michigan Secretary of State Guide
PROTECT YOUR VOTE – DEFEND AGAINST FRAUD
- VOTE IN PERSON on ELECTION DAY.
- Never give your ballot to a person offering to “send it in” or deliver it. If you have family members in a nursing home, watch carefully that they have not received “help” from a political party or individual. Monitor the use of their ballot and identity.
- If, when you get to the polling place on November 8th, election workers say you have already voted, immediately consult your township and/or county clerk.
- If you have already voted absentee and wish to change your vote, you may spoil your ballot by submitting a written request to the city or township clerk.
- Vote NO on Proposal 2, which extends voting to several days, making it nearly impossible to monitor for fraud. It also would remove the identification requirement, meaning someone could vote in your place by simply saying they are you.
19th DISTRICT STATE SENATE CANDIDATE
DR. TAMARA MITCHELL
I am a small-business owner specializing in public administration and public policy development, and the Founder of the Kalamazoo Electoral Action Team (KALEAT), citizen stakeholders for transparent and accountable governance.
I fight for integrity in our election system, I support parent choice in the educational setting, and I stand for law & order to keep our community thriving and safe for us all.
I am blessed and thankful for the loving support of my husband of over 18 years, Minister Jason Mitchell of Kalamazoo with whom I also serve in ministry.
Dr. Mitchell For Senate Website
OPPONENT: SEAN MCCANN
- State education funding bill: Did not vote.
- Favors vaccine mandates in schools.
- Opposes tax credits for parents with non-public school children.
- Appropriation for infrastructure projects: Did not vote.
- Wants to eliminate voter ID laws
Dr. Tamara Mitchell
19th District
18th district STATE SENATE CANDIDATE
THOMAS A. ALBERT
Thomas is very grateful to have earned the trust of his local community by serving as their State Representative in the Michigan Legislature for the past 6 years. It would be a great honor to continue to represent his community in the Michigan Senate. He remains committed to supporting policies that will make the 18th District a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Thomas is a proud Republican. With your support, he will continue to be a conservative leader in Lansing.
Thomas and his wife, Erica, are blessed to have five children and live just north of Lowell in Vergennes Township.
Thomas A. Albert
18th District
KALAMAZOO COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CANDIDATES
District 4
CharlEY Coss
Put Citizens First – Keep Taxes Down, Streamline Services & More Transparency – Safe Communities – I Stand With Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters & First Responders – Pro Small Business – Let’s Support Our Local Businesses – Protect Our Families & Children – Fighting For Our Veterans & Seniors.
Vote Coss Website
District 5
PETE STRAZDAS
“The Current Kalamazoo County Commission does not work as a team. It’s time for a change, to improve the county government, where residents are heard and leadership is provided. I have the experience and dedication to improve the condition in Kalamazoo County.” –Pete
Vote Pete Website
DISTRICT 6
john gisler
“Government should not pick winners and losers—just contribute to an environment where businesses can start, grow, and prosper.” As County Commissioner, John’s top priority is to focus on spending by utilizing the current County budget and ensuring taxes support “essential” services.
District 7
jeff hepPler
Put Citizens First – Keep Taxes Down, Streamline Services & More Transparency – Safe Communities – I Stand With Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters & First Responders – Pro Small Business – Let’s Support Our Local Businesses – Protect Our Families & Children – Fighting For Our Veterans & Seniors
District 8
WENDY MAZER
“As a mother, former school board member and current Texas Township Trustee I have spent most of my life serving my family and community. I have a proven record of supporting others and achieving results for the people I have represented. Please vote for me for Kalamazoo County Commission on November 8th.” – Wendy
Wendy Mazer Website
DISTRICT 9
TOM GRAHAM
Locally Involved – 37 years of Local Business Experience – Experience with State and Local Regulations – 5 children through Public Schools
Tom Graham Return 2 Integrity Website
DISTRICT 3
Nicole Sabel
STATE REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATES
KELLY SACKETT
40th DISTRICT
Kelly organized an effort to keep schools accountable when COVID restrictions were hurting our kids. Children are our future. Political agendas and special interests have no place in education.
Vote For Sackett Website
TERRY HAINES
41st DISTRICT
“I have Michigan’s best plan to permanently lower gas prices. I will champion the Convention of States cause to improve our economy. I will fight for safety in our streets. Public schools should educate, not indoctrinate. I will vigorously fight for voter integrity.”
Terry Haines Website
matt hall
42nd District
Our state and country are moving in the wrong direction because of the failures of national leaders. The rising cost of goods, high gas prices, and gridlock in Washington are hurting family budgets and our economy. You deserve so much better.
Elect Matt Hall Website
sarah lightner
45TH district
“I have been proud to serve the residents of Michigan during my first two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. Moving from the county commission to the State House was an opportunity to expand my service territory. Being your voice in the Michigan legislature has been a true honor.
Elect Sarah Lightner Website
NON-PARTISAN CANDIDATES
BRIAN ZAHRA
Michigan Supreme Court
My role as a judge is to determine what the law is, not what the law should be.
PAUL HUDSON
Michigan Supreme Court
Paul Hudson is a leading Michigan appellate lawyer, husband, and father, accomplished athlete, and homegrown Michigander. “A judge is like an umpire. A good judge doesn’t make up the rules or change them mid-game. A good judge just calls balls and strikes, faithfully applying the rules as written – fairly, consistently, and without favoring one side or the other.”
Hudson For Justice WEbsite
TAMARA D. CARLONE
State Board of Education
Tamara’s personality is consistent as the Bible is her guide. She is diplomatic and leads with love and compassion and sees value in every single person. She will try to find the gold in you even when you are not at your best. This is extremely important in education and for children in general. She has both high intellectual and emotional intelligence.
DR. LINDA LEE TARVER
State Board of Education
“I am a lifelong resident of Michigan, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. I served 34 years with the state of Michigan as an election integrity expert and former Michigan Civil Rights Commissioner. I am a national public and motivational speaker, the author of two Christian books, a businesswoman, and an organizational psychologist. I hold a bachelor’s degree in business management, a master’s degree in organizational psychology, a doctorate in theology, and a second doctorate in the field of education.”
Christa Murphy
WSU Board of Governors
Christa Murphy of Oakland County is running as a “voice of students.” She promises to end annual tuition increases, improve graduation rates, and reform curricula to prepare students for “real life.” She is a Wayne State graduate with a degree in mathematics.
“Who is going to stand up for students better than a parent? We’ve had enough attorneys and politicians running for Higher Ed Boards. It’s time we put a voice on the Board who has “skin in the game” and will stand up for the students.”
Craig Wilsher
WSU Board of Governors
“I have successfully served Wayne County communities for over 27 years as a law enforcement officer. I have assumed several leadership roles throughout my career that provided education and experience with a focus on critical aspects of fiscal responsibility, public safety, and meeting or exceeding community expectations.
“In addition to my law enforcement experience, for the past six years, I have been an adjunct professor for a local college and a state university.”
Dr. Travis Menge
MSU Board of Governors
“My time at Michigan State University was transformative. Not only did I meet my wife Stephanie while attending school there, but it is also where I started my education that ultimately led me to become a physician.
“My healthcare leadership experience makes me uniquely qualified to successfully guide MSU through unexpected challenges, such as the COVID pandemic and the Larry Nassar Scandal. Additionally, I want to make high-quality education affordable and accessible for all Michigan students.”
Mike Balow
MSU Board of Governors
Mike is running for the MSU Board of Trustees to help be a voice of reason and change to what he found to be an incredibly dysfunctional environment at the MSU Leadership level and is looking to EARN your support. Mike believes Michigan State can be better. He will fight against mandatory remote learning and mandatory mask and vaccine mandates. He will hold leadership and faculty accountable for their constitutional oaths, bring common sense financial oversight to excessive and political university spending, and make sure the president understands he works for our elected board.
Lena Epstein
U of M Board of Regents
“I’m running for University of Michigan Regent because Michigan taxpayers deserve leadership and accountability. Inflation is out of control and hindering Michigan families, so it’s more important than ever that we fight against tuition increases so that a college degree is affordable and attainable. I will also be a voice for those who have gone unheard at the University of Michigan for far too long. When it comes to issues of sexual abuse, silence from our leaders should not be tolerated. I will speak out when necessary, stand up even when it’s unpopular, and make decisions as if it’s my own daughter that will be impacted, because parents and students deserve to feel safe and secure when it comes to college campuses.”
U of M Board of Regents
Sevag Vartanian graduated from the University of Michigan in 1991 with a degree in Actuarial Mathematics. Over the last 30 years, he has worked in various areas of the financial sector with a focus on the credit sector and asset management.
Vartanian’s love for the University of Michigan started at a very early age. From his early days as an Eagle Scout, through serving as a Varsity Cheerleader at U of M, Vartanian has always strived toward maintaining the University’s standard of being among the Leaders and Best.
Now, Sevag Vartanian intends to bring his skillset and experience to further this tradition, by serving on the Michigan Board of Regents.
TUDOR DIXON – GOVERNOR
Tudor Dixon is a businesswoman, breast-cancer survivor, and working mom of four girls. She built a career in Michigan’s steel industry throughout the early 2000s, leading industrial sales for heavy equipment in the agriculture, automotive, and energy sectors, among others. Quickly a leader in that space, Tudor was highlighted in 2009 at just thirty-one years old as part of “Metalcasting’s Next Generation” by trade magazine Foundry Management & Technology and served as Chairwoman of the Steel Founders Society of America’s Future Leaders Committee.
As a mom of four young girls with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Tudor became concerned about the indoctrination of children in our schools. That led her to found Lumen News, which provided pro-America, pro-Constitution morning news programs to grade school students.
Congressman Bill Huizenga, Congresswoman Lisa McClain, Ambassador Ric Grenell, the American Conservative Union, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, and others have all endorsed Tudor.
SHANE HERNANDEZ – LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Married and with daughters, Shane was an architectural designer at a firm in Port Huron. He is an active member of Lakeport Wesleyan Church and a member of the Men’s Group.
Elected to the state House in 2016, Shane quickly developed a reputation and voting record as one of the Legislature’s most conservative members. He earned 100% from the NRA and an A+ from the American Conservative Union. Michigan Farm Bureau and Right to Life of Michigan endorsed him previously. He was a leader in fighting Gretchen Whitmer’s unconstitutional lockdown orders, sponsoring the bill to sue Whitmer, and forcing an end to her endless emergency orders.
Shane has supported the border wall to fight illegal immigration and has been a leader in demanding election integrity.
MATTHEW DE PERNO – ATTORNEY GENERAL
Constitutional Conservative. Protector of Our Rights.
Matt is a native of Michigan and has been a Kalamazoo resident with his wife, Laura, since 1994 after receiving his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. The two have been married for over 26 years and raised three children together. After practicing law for a decade as a law firm partner, Matt opened the doors of his own practice, DePerno Law, PLLC, in 2005, where he has since been ardently defending Americans’ constitutional rights. A vote for Matt is a vote for your civil liberties!
KRISTINA KARAMO – SECRETARY OF STATE
Under my leadership, the United States and Michigan Constitutions will once again be the bedrock of our government, and We The People will be its priority. It’s time to end the politicization of the Office of Secretary of State and restore the rule of law. I hope you’ll join me in this fight.
Kristina is running for Michigan Secretary of State to fight to make sure that elections are decided by legal votes (not manipulation and corruption), and to improve SoS branch office service for all Michigan citizens. More broadly, as Secretary of State Kristina will work to restore the rule of law and earn back the trust of Michigan citizens in our government.