Nonpartisan ballot guide to the November 3, 2020 election, Washtenaw County edition

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Updated! With the location of the new A2 Ballot Drop Boxes.

The Michigan general election is coming up on November 3, 2020. The following is a little nonpartisan voter guide that I compiled, based on the ballot for Ann Arbor. The purpose of this guide is to give general, nonpartisan information about what will be on the ballot and who the candidates are in nonpartisan races (judges and school boards). Let’s start with general advice.

* First, if you need to find out where you are registered in the state of Michigan, go here to check:
https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/
https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot/Index

It should tell you your ward, precinct, and voting place and let you see your sample ballot. Looking over the ballot before you vote is really helpful! Especially if this is the first time you are voting, you will be amazed to see how many people and proposals we are voting on.

Below, I only cover the candidates and proposals that come up on my own ballot, which is probably the same for everyone living in the city of Ann Arbor (?). But check your own ballot at the link above, to see what it will look like!

* Second: If you don’t have an absentee ballot yet, you can apply for one on line through the same web site, https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/. Michigan voters are encouraged to vote absentee this year. OR: You can go to your city clerk’s office (in Ann Arbor, that is in City Hall, though I hear there is a temporary satellite office now in the UM Art Museum), ask for a ballot, and vote on the spot if you wish! Bring your ID of course.

* Third: If you vote absentee, try to read the instructions & follow them. Seriously! Here’s a cute video shot by somebody in Ann Arbor about absentee voting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gaKy6VcEW0
And here are the main things to do:

  • Have a black or blue pen to fill in the little bubbles. A Sharpie is great, CORRECTION! I am told by “the experts” that a regular ball point pen is best, because felt-tip markers may “bleed through” and spoil the ballot! but any pen will do. Try to “paint inside the lines.” Also, quoting from a WaPo article: “To give your ballot the best possible chance of counting, it’s important to return it in pristine condition. Do not stain or tear your ballot or the envelope. Outside the areas you were told to mark or sign, there should be no stray writing or marks.” I don’t think Michigan regularly rejects ballots on these grounds, but why risk it?
  • Be sure you only vote for one candidate in each position. Again, read the instructions: for school boards & some other items on the ballot, you will be voting for 2 or more. It tells you right on the ballot! It will say “Vote for not more than 2” or whatever. If you vote for too many, your vote for that position will be rejected. And you’ll never know!
  • Read up on the judicial races (and/or see my guide, below). Judges in Michigan are nominated by the political parties (Dem, Rep, Libertarian, maybe a couple others), but judicial elections are fictively “non-partisan,” which only means that they don’t tell you what their party is. You have to look that up yourself!
  • Vote the ballot from left to right, top to bottom, not to lose your place or miss a race. Be sure to check the back! Ann Arbor ballots almost always spill over onto a second page, which goes on the back. You wouldn’t believe how many people miss those.
  • After you fill out your ballot, follow the instructions to put it inside the voting security envelope. BE SURE TO SIGN THIS ENVELOPE! Your signature is supposed to match the one that you signed when you registered to vote, which for some of us was decades ago. Good luck! The sort-of good news is: “only” about 30 out of 76,000 absentee votes in Washtenaw this past August were rejected for a signature not matching. (45 were rejected for no signature, 84 because the person moved, and 516 because they arrived late.) Still, don’t let this be you.

* Fourth: I recommend either mailing in your ballot at least one week before the election which this year means by October 27. But preferably, mail it sooner! Even better: drop it off in person in a Ballot Drop Box (click the link for more info). There are currently three SEVEN drop boxes:

  • Two located just inside City Hall, just inside each of the vestibules, the one facing Huron and the other facing the tiny parking lot in back. These boxes are accessible 24/7.
  • Veterans Memorial Park Ice Arena and Pool, 2150 Jackson Ave. — Parking lot.
  • Ann Arbor Fire Station 5, 1946 Beal Ave. — Outside.
  • Cobblestone Farm/Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Customer Service Center, 2781 Packard Road — Outside.
  • Ann Arbor Fire Station 6, 1881 Briarwood Circle — Northwest side of building, Eisenhower entrance, outside.
  • U-M Museum of Art, in the temporary Satellite Ann Arbor City Clerk’s Office: 525 S. State St., 10 am–7 pm only — Located inside in the Stenn Gallery on the first floor. Please note, entrance is permitted only following clearance from COVID-19 health screening, which will be conducted by personnel onsite.

If for whatever reason you want to vote in person, I recommend that you check out your ballot before heading to the voting booth. Also, if you do vote in person, remember to bring your government-issued ID!

I made this guide completely non-partisan and informational only, so it should be well within the rules for using the umich email system to convey political information. If you find the guide useful, please do forward (far and wide) as you see fit.

OK, on to the nonpartisan guide to candidates and proposals. In this guide, I include a link to a general questionnaire filled out by most candidates; links to individual candidate web sites; and a list of the organizations (not individuals) that have endorsed each candidate, according to the candidates’ websites. You can also find information on most (not all) candidates and proposals at these two websites, after you fill in your address:

https://annarborobserver.com/s/decision_2020.html
https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
https://www.vote411.org/

I’m going to skip over the “Partisan Section,” under the assumption that it is easy to find information about what the various parties and their candidates stand for. But note that in addition to voting for President, we will also be voting for a multitude of federal, state, and local offices, including Senator, Representative; Michigan representative; state board of ed; regents of UM, MSU, and Wayne State; county prosecuting attorney, sheriff, clerk, treasurer, water resources comissioner, and commissioner; and Ann Arbor city council member.

So let’s go straight to the Nonpartisan Section, for which it is harder to find information on the candidates. Several of these are Judicial elections, in which the candidates are chosen by the parties but the ballot doesn’t tell you which parties chose them; I think of these (perhaps unfairly?) as “crypto-partisan” elections.

NOTE: I’m basing this guide on my own ballot; elsewhere in the county you may have different local judicial races.

This year we’ll be voting for Justices of the Supreme Court (2 seats, 7 candidates); Judge of the Court of Appeals, District 3 (2 seats, unopposed); Judge of the Court of Appeals, District 3, incumbent position (1, unopposed); Judge of the Circuit Court, 22nd circuit (1 seat, 2 candidates); and two local judges, each running unopposed. I’ll skip the ones running unopposed.

JUDICIAL ELECTIONS SECTION (listing only contested elections)

Justice of Supreme Court – 8 Year Term – Vote for Not More than 2

Note, the partisan affiliations of judicial candidates are not listed on the ballot. Below I list the parties that nominated each candidate and any groups that have endorsed them. Remember, you can vote for TWO of the 7 candidates, to fill 2 slots on the court. I list them here in the order that they appear on my sample ballot.

  • Susan L. Hubbard (Green Party) – Endorsements: none listed. Campaign website: https://hubbardforjustice.com/
  •  Mary Kelly (Republican) – Endorsements: Michigan Chamber of Commerce, 44 county prosecutors. Campaign website: https://marykellyforjustice.com/
  •  Bridget Mary McCormack, Justice of Supreme Court (Democratic) – Endorsements from 45 organizations, including: UAW, MI AFL-CIO, MEA, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, The Public Employees Union, Progressive, Michigan LiUNA, Planned Parenthood Advocates, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Human Rights Campaign, AFSCME Council 25, MI Nurses Association. Campaign website: https://www.bridgetmarymccormack.com/
  •  Kerry Lee Morgan (Libertarian) – Endorsements: none listed. Website: https://www.pck-law.com/attorney/kerry-l-morgan/
  •  Katherine Mary Nepton (Libertarian) – Endorsements: none listed. Campaign website: none found.
  •  Brock Swartzle (Republican) – Endorsements: website lists endorsements by 38 current and former politicians and judges, no organizations. Campaign website: https://brockforjustice.com/
  • Elizabeth M. Welch (Democratic) – Endorsements from 15 unions and 10 other organizations, including: AFT, Fems for Dems, Michigan Association for Justice, MEA, Michigan LiUNA, MI League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood Advocates, Progressive Women’s Alliance of West Michigan, SEIU Michigan, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. Campaign website: https://www.welchforjustice.com/

Judge Circuit Court (22nd Circuit) – Non-Incumbent Position – Six Year Term – Vote for Not More than 1

Candidate survey: http://onyourballot.vote411.org/race-detail.do?id=21996582
Candidate debate video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-kyy9OreII
(Note, the debate video is from the primary and includes other candidates who did not advance to the November election.)

  • Nick Roumel. Endorsements: Michigan LiUNA, AFSCME, Our Revolution Michigan, University of Michigan Skilled Trades Union, Operating Engineers Local 324, IBEW Local 252, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millrights, and Huron Valley Area Labor Federation (AFL-CIO, which also endorsed Tracy Van den Bergh). Candidate website: https://nickroumelforjudge.com/
  • Tracy E. Van den Bergh. Endorsements: Planned Parenthood Advocates, National Association of Social Workers, UAW, and Huron Valley Area Labor Federation (AFL-CIO, which also endorsed Nick Roumel). Candidate website: https://www.tracyforjudge.com/

COMMUNITY COLLEGE, LIBRARY, AND SCHOOL BOARD SECTIONS:

Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees Member. Vote for not more than 3.
Note: you can vote for up to THREE of the 4 candidates listed to fill 3 slots on the board.
Information about the candidates for the WCC board:
http://onyourballot.vote411.org/race-detail.do?id=20925454

  • Dave DeVarti
  • Christina Fleming
  • Ruth Hatcher
  • Martin J. Thomas

So far, as of September 18, 2020, I have found no endorsements, campaign web sites, or evaluations of any of the four candidates. DeVarti, Fleming, and Hatcher are incumbents. Thomas is the only challenger this year. As of this writing, only Hatcher and Thomas have responded to the Vote411 candidate survey (see link above). Here is an interview with Thomas: https://wccwatch.org/wcc-board-of-trustees-candidate-martin-thomas/

Ann Arbor Public Schools Board Member (4 Year Term). Vote for not more than 3.
Note: you can vote for up to THREE of the 9 candidates listed to fill 3 slots on the board.
More information about the candidates running for school board:

https://annarborobserver.com/s/decision_2020.html
http://onyourballot.vote411.org/race-detail.do?id=20925456

  • Krystle R. DuPree – Endorsements: UAW Region 1A. Website: https://dupree2020.com/
  • Jeff Gaynor – Endorsements: Huron Valley Area Labor Federation (AFL-CIO), Ann Arbor Indivisible, Ann Arbor Education Association, Washtenaw County Democratic Party. Website: https://www.gaynorforaaps.com
  • Libby Hemphill – has suspended campaign and emails to say that “folks should vote for others who are pushing for equity and communication. I’m not endorsing specific individuals.”
  • Jamila James – Website: https://www.jamilaforschoolboard.com/
  • Maggi Richards Kennel – Endorsements: Ann Arbor Indivisible. Website: https://www.votemaggikennel.com/
  • Xan Morgan – has suspended her campaign (though name remains on the ballot) and endorsed Jamila James.
  • Ernesto Querijero – Endorsements: Huron Valley Area Labor Federation (AFL-CIO), Ann Arbor Education Association, Washtenaw County Democratic Party. Website: https://vote4ernestoq.com/
  • Angie Smith – Endorsements: Huron Valley Area Labor Federation (AFL-CIO), Ann Arbor Education Association. Website: https://www.angieannarbor.com/
  • John Spisak – Website: http://johnlandias.weebly.com/aaps-boe.html

Ann Arbor District Library Board Member. Vote for not more than 4.
Note: you can vote for up to FOUR of the 5 candidates listed to fill 4 slots on the board.
I have found no endorsements in this race and am listing only the website for the four who have one (they are running as a slate and share the same campaign web page).
More information about the candidates for the library board:
http://onyourballot.vote411.org/race-detail.do?id=20925498

Here’s an article about the race: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/07/a-slate-of-four-candidates-plus-one-other-are-running-for-ann-arbor-district-library-trustee-seats.html

Proposals Section.

There are two statewide proposals on the Michigan ballot this year. Both passed unanimously in the state legislature, indicating bipartisan support.
I have not been able to find any information about the one Washtenaw County proposal or the three Ann Arbor City proposals on the ballot.

STATE PROPOSALS

Proposal 20-1. A proposed constitutional amendment to allow money from oil and gas mining on state-owned lands to continue to be collected in state funds for land protection and creation and maintenance of parks, nature areas, and public recreation facilities; and to describe how money in those state funds can be spent. This proposed constitutional amendment would:

    • Allow the State Parks Endowment Fund to continue receiving money from sales of oil and gas from state-owned lands to improve, maintain and purchase land for State parks, and for Fund administration, until its balance reaches $800,000,000.
    • Require subsequent oil and gas revenue from state-owned lands to go into the Natural Resources Trust Fund.
    • Require at least 20% of Endowment Fund annual spending go toward State park improvement.
    • Require at least 25% of Trust Fund annual spending go toward parks and public recreation areas and at least 25% toward land conservation.

Should this proposal be adopted?

Information on this proposal: https://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_Proposal_1,_Use_of_State_and_Local_Park_Funds_Amendment_(2020)

Groups supporting a YES vote: Michigan Wildlife Parks Coalition; DTE Energy; Detroit Greenways Coalition, Ducks Unlimited, Environment Michigan, Michigan Environment Council, Michigan Forest Products Council, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Recreation & Parks Association, Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance, National Wild Turkey Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Pheasants Forever, The Nature Conservancy.

Groups supporting a NO vote: Sierra Club.

Proposal 20-2. A proposed constitutional amendment to require a search warrant in order to access a person’s electronic data or electronic communications. This proposed constitutional amendment would:

    • Prohibit unreasonable searches or seizures of a person’s electronic data and electronic communications.
    • Require a search warrant to access a person’s electronic data or electronic communications, under the same conditions currently required for the government to obtain a search warrant to search a person’s house or seize a person’s things.

Should this proposal be adopted?

Information on this proposal:
https://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_Proposal_2,_Search_Warrant_for_Electronic_Data_Amendment_(2020)

Groups supporting a YES vote: (none so far)
Groups supporting a NO vote: (none so far)

County Proposal. Proposition to Authorize the Renewal and Restoration of a 0.25-Mill for the Purpose of Purchasing Natural Areas in Order to Preserve Them, Paying the Costs of Operating a Land Preservation Program and Paying the Costs of Maintaining the Land Purchased

“Shall the limitation on taxes which may be imposed each year for all purposes on real and tangible property in Washtenaw County be increased as provided in Section 6, Article 9 of the Michigan Constitution and the Board of Commissioners be authorized to levy a tax not to exceed one fourth of a mill ($0.25 per $1,000 of state equalized valuation) on the taxable value of such property for period of ten years beginning with the levy made on December 1, 2021 (which will generate estimated revenues of $4,407,196 in the first year) for the purpose of purchasing natural areas in order to preserve them, paying the costs of operating a land preservation program and paying the costs of maintaining the land purchased? Of the 0.25 mill, 0.2341 represents a renewal of that portion of a 0.25 mill authorization previously approved by electors as reduced by operation of the Headlee Amendment, and 0.0159 represents new millage in the amount equal to the amount reduced by operation of the Headlee Amendment.”

City Proposals (Ann Arbor)
More information about the Ann Arbor city proposals, with particular attention to Proposal C:
https://annarborobserver.com/s/decision_2020.html

Proposal A. Ann Arbor City Charter Amendment Tax for Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Repair and Replacement.

Shall the Charter be amended to authorize a new tax up to 2.125 mills for street and bridge repair and for sidewalk repair and construction for 2022 through 2026 to replace the previously authorized tax up to 2.125 mills for street and bridge repair and for sidewalk repair and construction for 2017 through 2021, which will raise in the first year of levy the estimated revenue of $13,816,870? In accordance with State law, a portion of the millage may be subject to capture by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.

Info on Prop A: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/engineering/Pages/Street-and-Sidewalk-Millage.aspx

Proposal B. Ann Arbor City Charter Amendment Tax for the Construction of New Sidewalks.

Shall the Charter be amended to authorize a tax up to 0.20 mills for the construction of new sidewalks for 2021 through 2026, which will raise in the first year of levy the estimated revenue of $1,300,411? In accordance with State law, a portion of the millage may be subject to capture by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.

Info on Prop B: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/07/tax-proposal-on-november-ballot-would-help-fill-ann-arbors-sidewalk-gaps.html

Proposal C. Ann Arbor City Charter Amendment Tax for the Construction, Acquisition, and Maintenance of Affordable Housing.

Shall the Charter be amended to authorize a new tax up to 1.000 mills for construction, maintenance, and acquisition of new affordable housing units for low-income individuals and families making less than 60% Ann Arbor Area Median Income, and for providing social services for the residents of such housing for 2021 through 2041, which will raise in the first year of levy the estimated revenue of $6,550,505. In accordance with State law, a portion of the millage may be subject to capture by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.

Info on Prop C:
https://annarborobserver.com/s/decision_2020.html
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/07/ann-arbor-affordable-housing-tax-proposal-heads-to-november-ballot.html

Endorsements for Proposal C: YES – United Way of Washtenaw County, MI AFL-CIO

(I have not found any other endorsements for or against the other A2 proposals or the county proposal.)

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