GOP bill would force Michigan school board candidates to state their party affiliation

A proposed bill from House Republicans would make Michigan’s school board candidates declare a party affiliation, a change that’s drawing criticism from local election officials and school board members.

Under state law, school board positions are explicitly nonpartisan. House Bill 4588, introduced by Rep. Jason Woolford, would tweak the law to require candidates for local school boards to declare a party affiliation.

That requirement could force the races to have primary elections in August, in addition to the November general election when school board seats are typically voted on, officials said.

Michigan clerks warn that the bill could create a range of problems for local election offices, including longer ballots, voter confusion, and thousands of extra dollars in expenses.


https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/10/01/school-board-nonpartisan-party-affiliation-woolford/