Bay City, MIVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Bay City Commission Election 2026

5 of 9

council seats up

5 contests

8 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Commission 1st Ward · Unopposed

City Commission 3rd Ward · 1 seat

City Commission 5th Ward · 1 seat

City Commission 7th Ward · 1 seat

City Commission 9th Ward · Unopposed

Five of nine ward seats are on the ballot (Wards 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9); voters in each of those wards choose one commissioner. The mayor's seat is not on this ballot.

2 notes on these statements

Laura Kubit (1st Ward) and Jill Causley (9th Ward) are unopposed. Causley is running for the seat being vacated by commissioner Cordal Morris. MLive · Oct 4, 2026

Katie Doyle (3rd Ward) and Cordal Morris (9th Ward) are not running for re-election; their seats are open. MLive · Oct 4, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Joseph Charlebois2sourcedAlexander Dewitt2sourcedChristopher Girard2sourcedCraig Kokaly3sourcedBenjamin Tenney3sourced

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Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesBridge tolls, Roads and infrastructure, Fire Station 2Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Election Day

Tue, Nov 3, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Bridge tolls

Where it standsTolls on the Independence Bridge are currently free for Bay City residents, a period that ends during the next four-year term.

What's on the tableHow the commission deals with Bay City Bridge Partners and tolling after the resident free period.

Roads and infrastructure

Where it standsCandidates in several wards name roads as a top concern.

What's on the tableHow the city pays for street repairs, including whether to pursue grants, new funding or other sources.

  • A special committee of commissioners must report on funding options for fire stations and neighborhood streets by November 16. MLive · Aug 1, 2026
  • Sous said part of the money for the city's street paving pilot is a one-time payment from United Bridge Partners. MLive · Oct 4, 2026

Fire Station 2

Where it standsFire Station 2 must be demolished and rebuilt because of PFAS contamination; Fire Station 5 closed in 2024.

What's on the tableWhether and how to fund a replacement for Station 2 and what to do about Station 5.

Immigration enforcement resolution

Where it standsCommissioners approved 8-1 on April 6, 2026 a resolution reaffirming existing police policies on immigration enforcement.

What's on the tableWhether the commission takes up further limits on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

  • The resolution was proposed by Mayor Girard and passed 8-1, with Commissioner Zanotti voting no. MLive · Apr 6, 2026
  • Runberg first introduced an immigration resolution in February 2025; a version passed 4-3 and was vetoed by Girard. MLive · Apr 6, 2026

Contractor bidding and prevailing wages

Where it standsThe commission voted 8-0 on August 17, 2026 to give bid-scoring points to contractors who agree to pay prevailing wages.

What's on the tableWhether to keep or change the scoring system for city contracts over $25,000.

  • The change reduces workforce development points from eight to five and adds a three-point prevailing wage category. MLive · Aug 1, 2026
  • Contractors are not required to pay prevailing wages and are not disqualified if they decline. MLive · Aug 1, 2026

Homeless drop-in center

Where it standsThe city committed $150,000 a year from marijuana tax act funds for the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission's overnight drop-in center; a funding agreement for fiscal 2027 was set for a vote.

What's on the tableWhether to continue annual funding for the overnight drop-in center.

  • The commission approved a resolution on January 6, 2025 committing $150,000 annually from the marijuana tax act for the center's operating costs. MLive · Oct 1, 2026
  • The center currently sees around 23 people per night, according to the mission's report. MLive · Oct 1, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. How should Bay City deal with bridge tolls?

  2. 2. How should Bay City pay for road repairs?

  3. 3. What should Bay City do about Fire Station 2?

  4. 4. What should the commission do on immigration enforcement?

  5. 5. Should the city favor contractors who pay prevailing wages?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): Joseph Charlebois, Alexander Dewitt, Christopher Girard, Craig Kokaly, Benjamin Tenney5 on this ballot

9 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.

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