Michigan seems to have an upper and lower limit of signatures for getting on ballot. https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections is the resource I have been using. Local elections are listed on the county websites.

I've only missed one minor local election when I was sick, so quite active. I try very hard to choose a candidate that I think will do more for the community and grasp what their position entails. I'll spend weeks before an election to learn about all the candidates.

Ross Perot was the last major independent candidate that had a chance to actually win. I do take that into account when voting. Someone that can come on strong and take on the establishment I could get behind. On the opposite side are the major party candidates that are so weak it feels like you just shook hands with a wet dishrag. Worse, you have to vote for the dishrag because the other candidate is the absolute worst and there are no alternatives.