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Frankenmuth News

Serving Frankenmuth Since 1906

Vol. 114 No. 29 - In our 114th year!

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

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Presidential 2020 Primary has three county questions

   The year 2020 ushers in a new decade and with it, a crucial mid-term President Primary Election across the United States on Tuesday, March 20.

  Frankenmuth City Clerk Phil Kerns recently received ballot proofs from Saginaw County, detailing the list of Republican and Democratic candidates for the office of U.S. President. The ballots also have three Saginaw County proposals. The proofs were issued January 8.

  "Because this is a closed primary, unlike the typical August primaries, the vote must request either a partisan Democratic or Republican ballot, with the county millages, or a generic ballot, containing no presidential candidate option, that will only have the county millage proposals thereon,” Kerns said.

  Current U.S. President, Republican Donald J. Trump, will be completing his first, four-year term at the end of 2020. He is seeking a second term, 2020-2024. His Republican challengers are Bill Weld, Mark Sanford and Joe Walsh. There is also a box for “uncommitted.”

  The Democratic ballot has 15 listed candidates and one box for “uncommitted.” Most voters will recognize Joe Biden, as he was the U.S. vice-president under President Obama, 2009-2017. Bernie Sanders is also running for president. Sanders is the U.S. senator from Vermont, serving since 2007.

  Other Democratic candidates Julian Castro, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Joe Sestak, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren, Marianne Williamson, Andrew Yang, Michael Bennet, Michael R. Bloomberg (Mayor of New York City, 2002-2013), Cory Booker and Pete Buttigieg.

  There are three proposals. Proposal 20-1 is a renewal of the Saginaw County Parks and Recreation System’s millage, 2021-2026 (both inclusive). If renewed, the levy is estimated to raise up to $1,461,830 in the first year for the purpose of continuing the operation and maintenance of the system and continuation of recreational programs and activities within Saginaw County.

  Proposal 20-2 will ask voters for an increase renewal for the Saginaw County Event Center. If approved, the levy would be increased from 0.2250 mil up to 0.450 mil of taxable valuation, for a levy in the years 2021-2030, inclusive. The millage is estimated to raise up to $2,235,972 in the first year, of the purpose of continuing the events center, its related operations and maintaining and improving those facilities.

  Proposal 20-3 is a new question from the Michigan State University Extension. The new levy would be set at 0.1 mill of taxable valuation for a period of 10 years (2020-2029 (both inclusive). Proposal proponents say the levy is estimated to raise up to $497,000 in the first year, for the purpose of providing funding for educational programs supported by MSUE, such as 4-H youth development, Master Gardener, urban agriculture, health and nutrition, agriculture/agribusiness, natural resources, veteran services, and other community education programs through a contract with Michigan State University Extension.

  “The ballots should be here soon, tested and ready for release by the first week of February,” Kerns said. “We are currently receiving back many of the over 600 absentee voter ballot requests and those will be mailed out in that time period. “

  Voters desiring an absentee ballot are requested to contact their clerks’ office, Kerns and Frankenmuth Township Clerk Luci Valone.

  “Our prior local turnouts, depending on the race and sitting president’s incumbency status, is anywhere from 20-45 percent,” Kerns added.