Local candidates have filed petitions and are launching their campaigns for county positions that will be on the August 5 primary ballot, just 10 weeks away.

By state law, voting in the primary requires voters to cast their ballot for only one political party. At the polls, voters must specify which party's ballot they wish to vote, either Republican or Democrat. By selecting a party ballot, a registered voter does not have to be a member of the party, nor does choosing a party ballot make the voter a registered member of that party.

The last day to register to vote in the primary is July 7.

Candidates without political party affiliation have until 4 p.m. July 17 to file a petition to be on the November 4 general election ballot. The following partisan candidates have met the filing deadline of May 13 and will be on the August 5 primary ballot.

County-wide

Three Democratic incumbents on the county commission are running unopposed, including Carl Frazier in District 1, Larry Leveille in District 2, and Calvin McPhee in District 5. In District 3, Democrat incumbent Dawn Nelson will face off against Democrat Fred Paquin. In District 4, Republican incumbent Mike Patrick is challenged by Democrat James Farero.

County Prosecutor Fred Feleppa, a Republican, is running unopposed for a four-year term. Also unopposed on the August ballot are Republican candidates Clerk Mary Kay Tamlyn and Democrat Sheriff Scott Strait. In the Register of Deeds office, Republican incumbent Diane Frankovich is challenged by Democrat Bambi Robinson. The seats are four-year terms.

In the treasurer's office, five candidates are seeking the fouryear position. Democratic candidates include incumbent Nora Massey, Jerry Murray, and Patrick Fenlon. Republican candidates are Robert Winkelman and Leroy Pieri.

With one opening, five candidates will vie for a six-year seat on the road commission. Candidates include Republicans Richard Oliver,

Frank Harness, Tom Doty, and Robert Smith, and Democrat Joseph

Durm.

Incumbent Beth Ann Gibson will face Thomas North for the post of 92nd District Court judge, serving Mackinac and Luce counties. The nonpartisan position is for a six-year term.

Republican incumbent Jeffrey Davis and Democrat Neil Hill Sr. will run for the position of county surveyor.

Bois Blanc Township

Incumbent treasurer Cheryl Gahn, a Democrat, is running unopposed, as is trustee Democrat Shelby Newhouse. The positions of supervisor, clerk, and a second trustee remain open, and Clerk Joan Schroka said she expects independent or write-in candidates to file for the posts. Those candidates have a later filing deadline.

Brevort

Incumbent Supervisor Edward Serwach, a Republican, is being challenged by Republican Darren Spring. Republican clerk Susan Stelzer is running unopposed, as is Republican treasurer Dan Litzner.

Three Republicans are vying for two trustee seats, including incumbent Burt Rutledge, Vern Erskine, and David Craig.

Clark Township

Incumbent Republican Linda Hudson is being challenged by Republican Gerald Hill for the supervisor seat. Republican Mike Miller is running unopposed for the clerk seat. Also, Republican Katie Carpenter is running unopposed as treasurer. Running for two trustee seats are incumbent Republican Mike Lofdahl and Democrat Gary Wellnitz.

Garfield Township

All incumbents are running unopposed, and include Republican Supervisor Cleo Smith, Republican clerk Linda Bennett, Republican treasurer Debra Bennett, Republican trustee Duncan MacArthur, and Democrat trustee Donald Butkovich.

Hendricks Township

Seeking the supervisor seat is newcomer Republican Russell Nelson. Incumbent Bernice Hood, a Democrat, is running unopposed as treasurer. Newcomer Barbara Price, a Republican, is running for clerk.

Four candidates are vying for two trustee seats, including incumbent Republican Jack Rutledge III, Republican Pearl Caswell, Democrat Howard Hood, and Independent Ron Frazier.

Incumbent Republican Jerry Eifler is running unopposed as constable.

Hudson Township

Running unopposed are incumbent Democrat Supervisor Al Garavaglia and Democratic Clerk Barbara Kerridge. Jacqueline Prout, a Democrat, is running for treasurer. Seeking two trustee seats are Democrats incumbent David Livermore, Jeanne Donovan-Paquin, and Gary Derusha.

Marquette Township

All incumbents are running unopposed and include Republican supervisor John Kronemeyer, Republican clerk Lori Reich, Democrat treasurer Jan Huyck Fehner, and Republican trustees William Beacom and David Lamb.

Moran Township

Incumbents running unopposed are all Democrats, and include supervisor Patrick Durm, clerk Kristine Vallier, and treasurer Susan Dionne.

Running for two trustee seats are incumbent Republican Mark Spencer and incumbent Democrat Lonnie Heuer.

Newton Township

A full slate of candidates is seeking seats in the township, including four hopefuls running for supervisor. Three residents are challenging incumbent supervisor Democrat Bob Brotherton. They include Democrat John McNeil, and Republicans Jim France and Rick Frisch.

Township clerk Democrat Alice Zdebski will face Republican Jolynn Brawley. Republican treasurer Marilyn Strickland is running unopposed.

Running for two trustee seats are Republicans George Tremblay, Rachel McNeil, Marilyn McArthur, and Kurt Doepke, and Democrats Kirk Grinnell, Nikki Tremblay, and Donald McNeil.

Portage Township

Supervisor incumbent Don Ferris, a Republican, is challenged by Republican Harold Reeves and Democrat Donna O'Grady. Incumbent clerk Marcia McDonald,

Republican, is running unopposed. Democrat incumbent Nancy

Kister is being challenged for the treasurer position by Democrat Brad Kohvakka and Republican Nancy Seegert.

Five hopefuls are seeking two trustee seats, including Republican incumbents Pat Abram and Mark Devereaux. Challengers include Republican Shirley Gehrett and Jeff Burton, and Democrat Mike Soder.

St. Ignace Township

All incumbents are running unopposed, and include Republican Supervisor Dale Nelson, Republican Clerk Donna Harju, Republican Treasurer Sheryl Schairer,

and trustees Democrat Steven Campbell and Republican Donald Schairer. Incumbent constable Ronald Wartella is running as a Democrat.

City of St. Ignace No terms expire this year.

City of Mackinac Island

The election for city officials was held May 6, with all incumbents re-elected. A recount for one alderman seat is scheduled for May 22. Incumbent Jason St. Onge received two more votes than challenger Anneke Meyers.

Voting requirements

Voters also need to meet Michigan's voter identification requirement. Presenting photo identification is required in order to vote. If a voter does not bring a Michigan driver's license or personal identification card, then to obtain an ballot, the voter is required to sign an affidavit stating they do not have identification.

Those voters using an absentee ballot must submit it by August 2 at 2 p.m. The ballot needs to be submitted to the clerk of the township or city where the voter is registered.