Every four years, on the first Tuesday in November comes election day. This cycle is a particularly polarized one with issues such as abortion, immigration, economy and foreign policy on the ballot. Equally as important as the presidential election, but less publicized, are state and local elections, such as House Representatives, Senators and Judicial Appointments, as well as localized officials such as sheriffs and school board members. Below the Laker Anchor has a cumulative list of results for federal, state and local races.
Federal
Former President Donald J. Trump won the 15 electoral college votes from Michigan. The AP called the win for Trump as he has 49.7% of the populus vote for Michigan while runner-up Kamala Harris received 48.3%. Michigan’s 15 electoral votes contributed to Trump’s win of 312 electoral votes and Harris’s 226 electoral votes. 270 votes are required to win. All statistics for the federal election come from AP News.
State
Each state has two senators that serve six year terms. This year, only one spot was open for re-election and was won by Democratic candidate Ellisa Slotkin. Slotkin previously served as a Michigan Representative and will be back in D.C after winning 48.6% of votes, while runner-up Mike Rogers (R) won 48.3% of votes.
The House of Representatives also experienced a close race during the 2024 election cycle. Representatives serve two-year terms, meaning all seats were open for re-election this year. Of the 435 seats in the House, Michigan represents 13 of them. This year, Republicans were elected into seven of the seats, gaining one seat from the midterms, and Democrats gained six seats, losing one seat from the midterms. Ottawa county (District Three) elected Hillary Scholten (D) over Paul Hudson (R). Scholten won with 53.7% of votes. All statistics for the state election come from AP News.
Local
Local elections determine official positions in which without our state could not function. Ottawa County experienced a 75.25% voter turnout with 184,006 ballots cast, which is consistent with a 75% average over the last four general elections. All statistics come from MIOttawa.org
Representative in State Legislature: Greg VanWorekum (R) 57.6%
Member of the State Board of Education (2 spots available of 8): Nikki Snyder (R) 30.91% and Tom McMillin (R) 30.43%
Regent of the University of Michigan (2 spots available of 8): Carl Meyers (R) 32.37% and Segav Vartanian (R) 29.33%
Trustee of Michigan State University (2 spots available of ): Mike Balow (R) 31.24% and Julie Maday (R) 30.84%
Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney: Sarah Matwiejczyk (R) 100% (unopposed)
Ottawa County Sheriff: Eric Deboer (R) 100% (unopposed)
Ottawa County Clerk and Register of Deeds: Justin F. Roebuck (R) 100% (unopposed)
Ottawa County Treasurer: Cheryl Clark (R) 82.29%
Justice of the Supreme Court: Andrew Fink 51.74%
Justice of the Supreme Court: Kyra Harris Bolden 51.7%
Ottawa County Judge of Probate Court: Derek W. Dalman 59.97%
Spring Lake Public Schools Board member (2 positions available of 7): Dustin Brown 46.85 and Kelly VanderHoek 53.15%
For more localized information visit https://miottawavotes.gov/ElectionResults/Files/NOV0524.html
