Oppose Partisan School Board Elections Bill HB 4588

I am writing to express my strong opposition to House Bill 4588, which seeks to require school board candidates to declare party affiliation. This proposed legislation threatens to inject unnecessary partisanship into our education system and undermines the nonpartisan nature of school board positions that has long served our communities well. The bill, introduced by Rep. Jason Woolford, would fundamentally alter the way we elect school board members, potentially requiring primary elections in August in addition to November general elections. This change not only complicates the election process but also risks discouraging qualified candidates from running due to the increased campaign demands and associated costs. Local election officials have raised significant concerns about HB 4588. Hillsdale County Clerk Abe Dane has warned of longer ballots, increased voter confusion, and substantially higher expenses for local election offices. These are not trivial matters – they directly impact the efficiency and accessibility of our democratic processes. Furthermore, the Michigan Association of School Boards reports that the majority of its members oppose this bill. School board members themselves have testified against it, arguing that declaring party affiliation contradicts their primary mandate: to support students and schools. Education should transcend party lines, focusing instead on what's best for our children and communities. While Rep. Woolford argues that party labels would improve transparency and increase voter turnout, I believe this approach risks further polarizing our communities on educational issues. School boards should be forums for diverse viewpoints united by a common goal of educational excellence, not arenas for party politics. I urge you to oppose House Bill 4588 and any similar legislation that seeks to politicize our school boards. Instead, I ask that you support measures that encourage broad community participation in school governance, promote transparency through nonpartisan means, and prioritize the educational needs of our students above political affiliations. Our children's education is too important to be subject to partisan divisions.