When Democrat Kelli Morris decided not to seek re-election to another four-year term as Watson Township Clerk  in 2024, she made it official: All six townships in northeast Allegan County are in a one-party system.

That is, all 32 elected officials on the Nov. 5 general election ballot are Republicans. There are no Democrats.

For those who need more evidence, here is a complete list:

• Dorr Township — Supervisor Jeff Miling, Clerk Debbie Sewers, Treasurer Laurie Perry and Trustees John Tuinstra, Pat Champion, Dan Weber and Chandler Stanton.
• Hopkins Township — Supervisor Cade Bolser, Clerk Stacey Timmer, Treasurer Eric Alberta and Trustees Bob Modreske and Charles Wamhoff.
• Leighton Township — Supervisor Steve Wolbrink, Clerk Rachel Fennema, Treasurer Jacquelynn Bultsma and Trustees John Hooker and Brian Bonnema.
• Martin Township — Supervisor Glenn Leep, Clerk Jennifer Wharton, Treasurer Sue Tiemeyer and Trustees Jim DeYoung and John Schipper.
• Watson Township — Supervisor Kevin Travis, Clerk Mary Ann Baker, Treasurer Tara Davis and Trustees Michelle Harris and Joseph Yearous.
• Wayland Township — Supervisor Roger VanVolkinburg, Clerk Lillian DeKoning, Treasurer Sue Kamyszek and Trustees Matt Miner and Jim Stein.

Nearly all of the Republicans on the ballot are incumbents. The only ones who aren’t are those stepping in for incumbents who have decided not to seek re-election.

So northeast Allegan County is operating on a one-party system. Republicans traditionally have had the upper hand in the electoral process for more than a century. But its dominance now is complete.

The only meaningful vote that can be cast is for Wayland City Council or for Martin, Hopkins and Wayland school boards, where all the races are non-partisan.

It wasn’t always like that.

Dorr Township was predominantly Democrats until 2024, but now has all GOP officials. Democrats were in the majority in Watson Township until 2016. In both municipalities the tables were turned quickly and decisively, and not so long ago.

When I was editor of five newspapers based in Hastings, the assistant editor explained the GOP’s dominance in very simple terms — that Democrats had never put up a candidate worthy of support.

Yet I can remember in my tender youth being taught in civics classes and current events that in the Soviet Union there was only political party — the communist party — so you had no choice in such an undemocratic situation. In these parts of the United States, we are faced with exactly that, but it was generated by us, the people, at the ballot box.

Yet very few if any seem concerned about not really having a choice at the polls. You either vote Republican or swallow the medicine of losing.

Again it reminds me of the very effective political sign I saw more than a decade ago:

“Grand Rapids. We like the way things are around here. Let’s keep it that way. Vote Republican.”

What a strange form of self-induced totalitarianism we have here!

As the late comedian George Carlin said, “But nobody seems to notice; nobody seems to care.”