Michigan › Kent County › Nelson Township
What's on the ballot in Nelson Township, Kent County
Michigan General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026 · Polls open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. · Early voting Oct 24–Nov 1. Every local race and proposal on the official Nelson Township sample ballot (2 precincts; some items vary by precinct). Enter your address in the app to see your exact ballot with every candidate graded.
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Your district races
Statewide races (every Michigan ballot)
Governor
- BJohn James(R)
- FJocelyn Benson(D)
- CMike Duggan(Ind)
Attorney General
- N/RDoug Lloyd(R)
- N/REli Savit(D)
Local races in Nelson Township (14)
Court of Appeals District 3 — Judge of Court of Appeals
- AMark T. BoonstraIncumbent
- FDaniel S. KorobkinIncumbent
17th Circuit Court — Judge of Circuit Court
- CMaureen A. GottliebIncumbent
- CScott A. NotoIncumbent
- CClay M. WestIncumbent
Kent County Probate Court — Judge of Probate Court
- DDavid M. MurkowskiIncumbent
63rd District Court — Judge of District Court
- CJeffrey J. O'HaraIncumbent
63rd District Court — Judge of District Court
- DKirsten L. HolzIncumbent
Grand Rapids Community College — Board of Trustees Member
- CJamie Gordon
- DBrandy Lovelady Mitchell
- DTim Russ
Grand Rapids Community College — Board of Trustees Member
- N/RAdriana Almanza
Cedar Springs Public Schools — Board Member
- N/RHeidi Armock
- N/RRichard Bell
- N/RMistie BowserIncumbent
- N/RJenna Hess
- N/RAlexandra I. Hudson
- N/RApril PatinIncumbent
- N/RAnneMarie Slater
Cedar Springs Public Schools — Board Member
- N/RBrent WillettIncumbent
Montcalm Community College — Board of Trustees Member
- N/RRobert J. ByramIncumbent
- N/RJoshua StumpIncumbent
Village of Sand Lake — President
- N/RDaniel Hula
- N/RJustin Van Etten
Village of Sand Lake — Trustee
- N/RKen JohnsonIncumbent
- N/RAbbey Shirey
Village of Sand Lake — Trustee
- N/RMargaret Merritt
Tri County Area Schools — Board Member
- N/RHeather J. ShadleyIncumbent
Local proposals & millages (4)
Kent County Millage Renewal and Increase Corrections and Detention Facilities
Renews the 1990 jail millage early (it would expire after 2029) AND raises it from 0.7332 to 0.98 mill for 20 years (2026–2045) to expand and remodel the 1972-era jail and juvenile detention, adding medical, mental-health and substance-use treatment space. ~$37.3M first year. The county board approved it 11–5 over objections about the tax burden.
Cost to you: $98/year per $100,000 of taxable value — up $24.68 from the current $74.17.
Official ballot language
Shall Kent County levy 0.98 mill ($0.98 per $1,000 of taxable value) on the taxable value of all real and personal property subject to taxation for the period 2026 through 2045 inclusive to expand, remodel, equip, operate, maintain, and defray debt service for Kent County Correction and Detention Facilities? This millage is a renewal of the previously authorized millage which expires following the 2029 levy as well as an authorization to increase the existing millage by 0.2468 mill ($0.2468 per $1,000 of taxable value). The amount raised by the proposed levy in the first calendar year is estimated at $37,326,699.00. To the extent permitted by law, a portion of the revenues from this millage will be captured by local authorities for authorized purposes. The total amount of captured tax increment revenues from such millage in the first calendar year of the levy is estimated at $1,497,204.07. The authorities in Kent County capturing a portion of the revenues from this levy include the following: the Downtown Development Authorities for the Cities of Cedar Springs, Grandville, Lowell, Rockford, Walker, the Charter Township of Cascade, and the Townships of Bowne, Sparta, and Tyrone; the Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities of Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Rockford, Walker, and Wyoming; and the Monroe North Tax increment Financing Authority of the City of Grand Rapids, Local Development Financing Authority of the City of Grand Rapids, and the Corridor Improvement Authority of the City of Grand Rapids.
Kent County Millage Renewal Zoo and Museum Millage
Renews the 2016 John Ball Zoo / Grand Rapids Public Museum millage at a slightly lower 0.4086 mill for 2026–2035 (~$15.6M/year) for animal and artifact care, exhibit repair and education programs.
Cost to you: About $41/year per $100,000 of taxable value.
Official ballot language
For the purpose of renewing dedicated funding for the care of animals and artifacts, repair and improvement of exhibits, and providing enhanced educational programs, shall the total limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all taxable property in Kent County be renewed at 0.4086 mill ($0.4086 on each $1,000 of taxable value) on all Real and Personal Property subject to taxation for the period 2026 through 2035, inclusive, which would be allocated to the John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum? The amount raised by the levy in the first year is estimated at $15,562,948.00. To the extent permitted by law, a portion of the revenues from this millage will be captured by local authorities for authorized purposes. The total amount of captured tax increment revenues from such millage in the first calendar year of the levy is estimated at $399,110.86. The tax increment authorities in Kent County, capturing a portion of this tax levy, include the following: the Downtown Development Authorities for the Cities of Cedar Springs, Grandville, Lowell, Rockford, and Walker, the Charter Township of Cascade, the Townships of Bowne, Sparta, and Tyrone; the Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities of Cascade Township, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kent County, Kentwood, Plainfield Charter Township, Rockford, Walker, and Wyoming; the Monroe North Tax increment Financing Authority; and Corridor Improvement Authority of the City of Grand Rapids.
Tri County Area Schools Operating Millage Proposal
This proposal will replace expiring millage and allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 20 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. The remaining 2 mills are only available to be levied to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will only be levied to the extent…
Official ballot language
This proposal will replace expiring millage and allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 20 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. The remaining 2 mills are only available to be levied to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will only be levied to the extent necessary to restore that reduction. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Tri County Area Schools, Montcalm, Kent and Newaygo Counties, Michigan, be increased by 20 mills ($20.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 4 years, 2027 to 2030, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2027 is approximately $3,377,472 (this millage replaces millage that will expire with the 2026 tax levy)?
Appears on ballots in 1 of 2 precincts in Nelson Township — check your official sample ballot.
Tri County Area Schools Sinking Fund Millage Proposal
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Tri County Area Schools, Montcalm, Kent and Newaygo Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1.5 mills ($1.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2026 to 2035, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings, including career-technical spaces and workforce readiness spaces; for school…
Official ballot language
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Tri County Area Schools, Montcalm, Kent and Newaygo Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1.5 mills ($1.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2026 to 2035, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings, including career-technical spaces and workforce readiness spaces; for school security improvements; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used for the maintenance of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of eligible trucks and vans used to carry parts, equipment, and personnel for or in the maintenance of school buildings; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used to maintain such trucks and vans; and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $11,101,859?
Appears on ballots in 1 of 2 precincts in Nelson Township — check your official sample ballot.
Voting in Nelson Township
- Election DayTuesday, November 3, 2026 · polls open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. If you're in line by 8 p.m., you can vote.
- Where to voteLook up your Nelson Township polling place, early-voting site and drop boxes at the Michigan Voter Information Center.
- Early votingOctober 24 – November 1, 2026 at sites set by your clerk.
- Absentee ballotsMust reach the Nelson Township clerk or a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Too late to mail safely — drop it off.
- Not registered?Register and vote the same day at the Nelson Township clerk's office with proof of residency.
- IDBring a photo ID, or sign an affidavit if you don't have one. Full checklist →
Other communities in Kent County
Ada Township · Algoma Township · Alpine Township · Bowne Township · Byron Township · Caledonia Township · Cannon Township · Cascade Township · City of Cedar Springs · Courtland Township · City of East Grand Rapids · Gaines Township · Grand Rapids Charter Township · City of Grand Rapids · City of Grandville · Grattan Township · City of Kentwood · City of Lowell · Lowell Township · Oakfield Township · Plainfield Township · City of Rockford · Solon Township · Sparta Township · Spencer Township · Tyrone Township · Vergennes Township · City of Walker · City of Wyoming