Down-Ballot, Up-Impact: Your Guide to Michigan’s 2025 Municipal Elections
Local races have a huge impact on our everyday lives and sometimes are decided by just one or two votes. Really, we’ve seen it happen! That’s why it’s so important for us to get everyone we know to the polls.
Good things happen when we elect good local leaders
Voting locally is investing in Michigan’s future. Think of it as “building a bench” of leaders we can call on who support public education, economic security, LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom and more. Our city-level elected officials gain valuable skills, experience, and confidence to govern more effectively. When they do a great job, they also earn name recognition in our communities. So in 2026 and future elections when we need someone to run for higher-level offices like County Commission, State Representative or State Senator, we can turn to these experienced local leaders who we know and trust to step into those roles.
Michigan is an example of how we can make great progress when local leaders demonstrate that they actually care about and listen to their constituents locally, then move up to our state legislature and fight for all of us. That’s why it’s vitally important that we vote in our local elections for candidates who share our values–and actually listen to all of us– this year.
Strong Schools Start with a Strong Yes!
Our public schools are the heart of our communities, but school funding has been under attack from DC and Lansing. The best way to put our kids first is to ensure our public schools are properly funded by voting YES on local bond and millage proposals.
Michigan schools face a $4.5 billion funding gap and need $23 billion in repairs over the next decade. Passing voter-approved bonds and millages is our only chance to get our schools the funds they need to keep operating safely or to upgrade outdated technology. The ability to make necessary roof repairs or basic mechanical maintenance in schools is often decided by a handful of voters. Saying YES to school bonds and millages isn’t political — it’s priorities. It means safer schools, stronger neighborhoods, and investing in the next generation.
Does my community have an election in 2025?
Make a plan to vote!
Important Voting Dates
Printable Voting Guide
You can print this out, fill it in, and take it with you when you vote!
- Online: register or change your address online at michigan.gov/vote by Monday, October 20, 2025.
- In person: register at any time up to 8 p.m. on Election Day at your city clerk’s office.
Request a mail in or absentee ballot by:
- Online: By 5:00 p.m. on October 31, 2025. *We highly recommend that to avoid possible delays you request your absentee ballot in person at your local city office by October 21, 2025.
- In person at your local clerk’s office: if you’re already registered at your current address, you can request an absentee voter ballot in person at your clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the election.
- If you’re registering to vote or updating your address by appearing at your clerk’s office on Election Day, you can request an absent voter ballot at the same time you register.
- Your completed ballot must be returned to a Clerk’s office or ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. on November 4, 2025.
Early voting in-person is available in select communities. Options vary – visit your local clerk’s website for more information.
General Election Day Voting:
- Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Polls are open 7am – 8pm.
Request an absentee ballot, verify you are registered to vote, find your polling location and more at michigan.gov/vote.
Frequently Asked Questions about Voting in Michigan
How do I register to vote?
How can I request an absentee ballot?
- Online – Registered voters can request an absentee ballot online at michigan.gov/vote before 5 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025.*
- Call your city or township clerk and ask that an application be mailed to you.
- Download an application to return by mail or in person to your local city or township clerk.
- In person at your local city or township clerk’s office.
*After October 20, 2025, to avoid possible postal delays, we recommend making your absentee ballot or vote by mail request in person at your local city or township clerk office. You’ll be able to fill out and submit your ballot while there.
Your completed ballot must be returned to a Clerk’s office or ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. on November 4, 2025.
How does early voting work in Michigan?
How do I vote on election day?
Who’s on the Ballot?
You can find information below about candidates in key local races across the state.
Candidates with a green check mark next to their name have proven that they are aligned with Red Wine & Blue’s values, including protecting democracy, supporting the LGBTQ+ community, protecting reproductive rights, and providing economic security.
Candidates with a red “x” next to their name have proven that they are not aligned with Red Wine & Blue’s values.
Note: Not all Michigan races are included in this list. Red Wine & Blue is working on the ground in these key races where we have the most ability to impact the outcome of the election.
Municipal Races
Livonia
Patrick Brockway
Eileen McDonnell
Jenny O’Conner
Kayleigh Kavanagh Reid
James Hooper
Kathleen McIntyre
Robin Persiconi
Plymouth
Jennifer Kehoe
Alanna Maguire
Nick Moroz
Jim Mulhern
Kristin McHale-Johnson
Ronald V. Picard
Southgate
Christopher P. Rollet
City Council (At Large, 7 seats available)
Victoria Araj
Priscilla Ayres-Reiss
Ed Gawlik, Jr.
Christian Graziani
Phillip Rauch
Karen George
Zoey Kuspa
Trenton
Richard Benedetti
Celina Peters
Dora Rodriguez
Timber Baun-Crooks
Auburn Hills
Jack D. Ferguson
Ron Moniz
Greg Ouellette
Eugene Hawkins III
Henry Knight
Clawson
Susan Moffitt
Paula Millan
City Council (4 seats available: top 3 earn 4-year term, 4th highest earns 2-year term)
Scott Manning
Meredith Peltonen
Heather Rinkevich
Laura Slowinski
Bruce Anderson
Glenn Shepard
Scott Tinlin
City Council (2 Year Term)
Aidan O’Rourke
Richard Scott
Fraser
Crystal Fletcher
George-Michael Higgins
Rochester Hills
Mark Skelcy
Ben Galliway
City Council (Ward 1, 1 seat available)
Max Donovan
Sterling Heights
Deanna Koski
Rick McKiddy
Rob Mijac
Michael Radtke, Jr.
Liz Sierawski
Henry Yanez
Barbara Ziarko
Jackie Ryan
Maria Schmidt
Moira Smith
Daniel Acciacca
Troy
Annalisa Esposito Bluhm
Rebecca Chamberlain
David Hamilton
Sadek Rahman
David Ross Kniffen
Ed Ross
Walled Lake
Linda Ackley
Richard Gunther
Burton
Ellen Ellenburg
Greg Hull
Kristopher Johns
Tina Conley
Christina Fitchett-Hickson
Grand Haven
Bob Monetza
City Council (At Large, 3 seats available)
Sarah Kallio
Erin Lyon
Mike Dora
Dennis Scott
Grandville
Jason Flanigan
Donna “Sue” Merrell
Randy Gelderloos
Tim Tanner
Michael “Mike” Sullivan
Holland
Abby Klomparens
Quincy Byrd
Kentwood
Monica Sparks
Stephen Kepley
City Clerk
Ana Jose
School Bonds and Millages
Atherton Community Schools
Birch Run Area Schools
Bloomfield Hills School District
Brandon School District
Byron Center Public Schools
Clarenceville School District
Operating Millage Exempting Principal Residence and Other Homestead Property
Davison Community Schools
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
Fruitport Community Schools
Godwin Heights Public Schools
Goodrich Area Schools
Grandville Public Schools
Sinking Fund Millage
Kent Intermediate School District
Lake Orion Community Schools
Novi Community School District
Romeo Community Schools
Saginaw Township Community Schools
School District of the City of Pontiac
South Lyon Community Schools
The Lamphere Schools
Tri County Area Schools
West Bloomfield Public Schools
Wyoming Public Schools
Bond Proposal
Zeeland Public Schools
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