Genesee Co. Voters Gear Up for August Elections

Local Elections in Genesee County Communities

Several communities within Genesee County, including Argentine Township, Burton, Grand Blanc Township, and Flint, are holding elections on Tuesday, August 5. These elections cover a range of issues, from local government positions to community initiatives.

In the city of Burton, voters will participate in a primary election for their city council race. Meanwhile, Grand Blanc Township will vote on a parks millage, which is a special tax proposal aimed at funding local park improvements. Additionally, Byron Schools, which serves part of Argentine Township, has a school-related question on the ballot. In Flint, the third ward is conducting a general election to fill a vacant seat on the city council, which has been empty since September due to the sudden passing of Councilman Quincy Murphy.

Genesee County Clerk Domonique Clemons emphasized the importance of voter participation in these elections. "We do anticipate this to be a lower turnout election in all four jurisdictions, but it's crucial for people, especially those in Burton and Flint, to remember that there is an election and that it matters," she said.

The vacancy in the Flint City Council has created a unique situation, with the potential for a new council member to join the nine-member body. This could help the council move forward on key issues and avoid the current standstill in city operations. Two candidates, AC Dumas and Beverly Biggs-Leavy, tied for the top votes, and Lashawn Johnson, who lost by three votes, has filed as a write-in candidate. Clemons noted that while it's uncommon, write-in candidates have won in the past.

For those considering a write-in vote, Clemons provided some important guidelines. "If you're writing in a candidate, you need to know the full name and spell it correctly. You must also write the name legibly. The board of canvassers will manually review each write-in during certification," she explained. She added that the machines automatically tabulate results, but for write-ins, voters must write the full name and check the box. Accuracy is essential to ensure the vote is counted.

The special election in Flint’s third ward is limited to residents within the boundaries where Murphy was originally elected. However, after the 2026 elections, when all nine council members and the mayor are up for re-election, new districts will be in place based on the redistricting that followed the last census. Voters in the third ward will receive new voter cards reflecting these changes.

Clemons reminded voters that all ballots, whether cast by mail or in person, must be received by 8 p.m. on election night. The deadline to register by mail or online has passed, but individuals can still register in person at the clerk’s office up to 14 days before an election and on election day itself.

Voters can check what is on their ballot by visiting the official website. With multiple issues on the ballot, it's important for residents to stay informed and participate in the democratic process.