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Dear Neighbor, I want to make sure you’re informed about what has been going on in our state government and update you on what I’ve been working on. In this e-news, you can find information about:
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email. Sincerely, |
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ELECTION AND VOTING INFORMATION Registering to Vote: You can register online, in-person at your local clerk or by mail. If you register online, you will need a valid State of Michigan Driver’s License or State ID. Register to vote online here. The deadline for registering online is 15 days before Election Day — Monday, Oct. 24th. If you register to vote by mail, you can either mail your local clerk and request a voter registration form, or print, fill out, and mail the voter registration application to your local clerk. Find your local clerk here. Absentee Ballots: You can request your absentee ballot online, via mail, or in-person from your local clerk. You can apply online here or print an application form from the site and mail, email, or hand deliver it to your local clerk. You can also find your clerk’s contact information here. Voters with disabilities may apply online for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot here. The accessible ballot can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to their clerk. You can also track your ballot to ensure it’s been safely and timely received by your clerk here. Clerks must receive absentee ballots by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8 for the upcoming general election. If you have already voted absentee and wish to change your vote (because the candidate has dropped out of the race or for any other reason), you can spoil your ballot by submitting a written request to your local clerk. You must sign a request and state that you would like a new absentee ballot mailed to you or pick it up in person at your clerk’s office. This request must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4th (the Friday before the election) if received by mail. Given the timing, if you want to spoil your ballot, do it in person at your local clerk’s office. An absentee ballot that has been returned may be spoiled in-person at your clerk’s office until 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 7th (the Monday prior to the election). An absentee ballot that has not been returned to the clerk may be spoiled in person at the clerk’s office until 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7th (the Monday prior to the election). Early Voting: Michigan law requires that clerk offices be open for at least eight hours the weekend before Election Day (Sat. And Sun., Nov. 5-6) for early voting. You can check those hours here. Ballot Drop Boxes: There are safe, secure ballot drop boxes around Washtenaw County. You can find them here. Criminal Record or on Parole/Probation? You Can Vote: It’s a common misconception to think that people convicted of a felony can never vote again, or that a person on parole or probation, or in jail cannot vote either. In fact, they can all vote. Here are answers to some common questions about this: If I have a criminal conviction, can I vote? What if I’m on probation or parole? Yes, you can vote! Only those convicted and serving out a sentence in jail or prison are unable to vote in Michigan. If you are on parole or probation, you can vote. What if I was convicted of a felony? You can vote! Your voting rights are naturally restored after you serve your sentence. Do I need to fill out some paperwork or get approval from a judge to vote? No. There is no paperwork or approval needed to regain your voting rights, but you may need to register or re-register to vote if this is your first time voting in years. You also have the right to vote with an absentee or mail-in ballot, or to use early voting. Can I still vote if I don’t have a permanent address or an ID? If you do not have a permanent address, you still have the right to vote. You can sign an affidavit that explains you do not have a photo ID, and your vote will still be valid. If I’m confined in a Michigan jail, can I vote? If you’re in jail awaiting a trial or sentence, you can still vote if you meet other eligibility criteria — you’re a U.S. citizen and will be at least 18 years old by Election Day and a resident of the Michigan city or township where you’re registering for at least 30 days before Election Day. If I’m in jail awaiting a trial or sentence, what address do I register to vote at? If you’re incarcerated and eligible to vote, for the purposes of registering, you are considered a resident of the address where you resided before confinement. If I’m in jail, how can I register to vote? Sometimes staff from clerk’s offices or volunteers visit local county jails to distrib Voting In Person: On Tuesday, Nov. 8th (Election Day), the polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Your Voter Identification Card lists your precinct number and the location of your assigned polling place. If you do not receive your card within three weeks after registering, contact your city or township clerk’s office to confirm your registration status. You can also check your voting status online here. To vote in person, state law requires either a Michigan driver’s license or state ID card, or you can sign an affidavit attesting that you are not in possession of a picture ID. If you don’t have a Michigan driver’s license or state ID card, you can use a:
REMEMBER: You cannot be turned away from the polls if you do not have an ID. You can vote like anyone else by signing an affidavit that must be provided to you. Sample Ballot: If you’re curious about what candidates and proposals are on your ballot this year, you can check out the sample mock ballot here.
STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF The Student Loan Debt Relief application is open. This relief will forgive $10,000 in student debt for those making $125,000 or less a year, and $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. You can apply here. This application is easy and free! It should only be done through the federal government’s website. Any third-party offering assistance for pay, or providing an alternative website should NOT be trusted.
WATER BILL ASSISTANCE Need help paying outstanding water and wastewater bills? The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program provides up to $650 for water and wastewater bill payments for household accounts in arrears or disconnected status, and/or assistance for fees associated with reconnecting services. Dexter, Milan, Saline, Superior Township, Sylvan Township, the Village of Manchester, and the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority are all participating in this program with Augusta Township and Ann Arbor joining soon. More information can be found online here: https://www.washtenaw.org/3633/LIHWAP
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS Last week, I attended Mayor Brian Marl’s community update in the City of Saline. This update was regarding issues at the Saline Wastewater Treatment Plant and drinking water. I am working with the City of Saline to get state and federal grant funding that will be used to address these issues. |
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October 10th was Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Michigan’s history is rich with tribal traditions and heritage. It’s time we recognized this by officially designating this day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE Homeowners can apply for the MIHAF program here, but before you start, please make sure you have all the necessary documents and information. You can find what documents and information you’ll need here. Who Is Eligible?
Up to $25,000 Grant Per Household to Pay: Eligible households can receive a grant worth up to $25,000 to help them pay:
COVID-19 RESOURCES General Vaccination Info The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) has an ongoing vaccination site located at 555 Towner Ypsilanti, MI 48198 that is appointment only.
If you are unable to go to a vaccination site, please contact the WCHD to ask about home visits through their Nurse on the Run program. Leave a message at 734-544-6700 or email health@washtenaw.org. You must meet homebound criteria to qualify for home visits. Please check the WCHD website for more info about additional doses for immunocompromised people: www.washtenaw.org/3269/COVID-19-Vaccination Booster Shots The Washtenaw County Health Department is offering Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson booster doses at their clinic at 555 Towner Ypsilanti, MI 48198. They ask that you please bring your vaccination card and identification, if possible. COVID Testing Lynx XD has a drive-thru saliva PCR testing site in Ann Arbor. Pre-registration is required: lynxdx.health/register. Once you pre-register, you will be directed to schedule a time/date for your test.
ENERGY BILL ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION We have numerous utility shutoff protection programs and programs that will help you afford your utility bills during the winter. These programs range from bill payment assistance to assistance winterizing your home. Check out our list of these programs here.
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