Millions of Michigan voters will head to the polls tomorrow to cast their votes on everything from who should run the country to who should serve on the local school board.

For two of those voters – Republican Wayne Schmidt and Democrat Betsy Coffia, candidates for state representative in the 104th district (Grand Traverse County) – the day will also determine whether months of tireless campaigning pays off in a two-year trip to Lansing.

Schmidt, who has two terms under his belt, would make the journey for the last time. Of his record in office, he counts helping reduce the state's unemployment rate, funding Pure Michigan and securing student equity payments among his top accomplishments.

“I have the experience and relationships to make sure Grand Traverse county is well-positioned in Lansing,” Schmidt tells The Ticker.

Coffia, an award-winning journalist from Northern Michigan, is running as a first-time candidate. Her varied background in public service – including stints at AmeriCorp, Habitat for Humanity and Michigan Head Start – helped pique her interest in public office. Refusing PAC and special interest contributions for her campaign, Coffia names campaign finance reform and equal educational funding her top priorities if elected.

“I'm very clear on the concept of public service and who I work for,” says Coffia. “I want to make sure people in this area have someone who listens to them, who's transparent and who's accountable.”

The Ticker asked the candidates to give readers a peek inside their ballots to get their thoughts on six proposals facing Michigan voters tomorrow, and how they plan to vote on some of the potentially contentious issues. Here are their responses:

Proposal 1 – Referendum on the Emergency Manager Law
Coffia: No. “I worked hard to get this on the ballot. Emergency managers aren't the right way to handle a distressed economy or school district.”
Schmidt: Yes.“I realize this legislation is strong medicine. But it's also badly needed.”

Proposal 2 – The 'Collective Bargaining' Amendment
Coffia: Yes. “There's nothing more democratic than people gathering together to protect their rights.”
Schmidt: No.“I understand the role of collective bargaining, but this proposal doesn't change anything on that front.”

Proposal 3 – '25x25' Renewable Energy Standard
Coffia: Yes. “We need to be moving toward sustainable energy. This is a step in the right direction.”
Schmidt: No. “I'd like to follow through on our current 10-percent mandate by 2015 and see where we are then. And the constitution isn't the best place to address this."

Proposal 4 – The Unionization of Home-Based Care Givers
Coffia: Undecided. “I”m still looking into this one.”
Schmidt: No. “This is just a money grab by the SEIU (Service Employees International Union). It's not about protecting seniors.”

Proposal 5 – The Two-thirds Majority Tax Limitation
Coffia: No. “I don't like the idea of 13 senators having the power to control taxes.”
Schmidt: No.“California has this legislation – and just look at the mess they're in.”

Proposal 6 – The International Bridge/Tunnel Voting Requirement
Coffia: No. “It's scary that one person would attempt to amend the constitution to protect their own personal interest.”
Schmidt: No. “I support the new bridge. It's not going to cost taxpayers a penny. And we shouldn't have to vote on every bridge in Michigan."

Coffia and Schmidt also weighed in on two Traverse City ballot proposals The Ticker recently covered – the Division Street proposal and the TCAPS bond proposal. Coffia says if the Division Street proposal passes, she would work hard to secure any necessary funding for the project – but stopped short of fully endorsing the ballot initiative. Schmidt says he supports the proposal.

Both candidates say they plan to back the TCAPS bond proposal.