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Dear Neighbor, The November 8th General Election is just less than two weeks away. To help make sure you are prepared to vote, this e-newsletter has information about:
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email. |
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You can find your clerk’s hours and extended voting hours here.
REGISTERING TO VOTE If you still need to register to vote, you can only register in-person at your local clerk’s office. You can register to vote through Election Day. To register to vote, you must show proof of where you live. Documents must have your name and current address. You can show a digital copy of any document. Acceptable documents include:
After registering, you can vote an absent voter ballot at the clerk’s office or you can vote at your polling place on Election Day. Military and overseas civilian voters have additional options to register. For more information, visit here. You can check if you are registered to vote 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. Due to how close Election Day is, it is strongly recommended that you visit your local clerk to request or return an absentee ballot. It may be too late to request or return an absentee ballot via mail. 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 Nov. 8 for the upcoming general election. Spoiling an Absentee Ballot 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 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 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 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 (Nov. 5-6) for early voting. These hours may get updated. You can check them here. Clerk’s office locations by municipality and their pre-election hours are as follows: City of Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Twp.
Augusta Twp.
City of Milan
Pittsfield Charter Twp.
Salem Twp.
City of Saline
Saline Twp.
Superior Twp.
York Twp.
City of Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti Twp.
City of Ann Arbor Satellite Offices For residents of the City of Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Clerk has set up two satellite offices to assist with voter registration; issue and receive absentee ballots and ballot applications; and answer elections questions. Locations of Ann Arbor Satellite Offices, along with regular and special hours, are as follows: UMMA Satellite Office
Duderstadt Center Satellite Office
BALLOT DROP BOXES There are safe, secure ballot drop boxes around Washtenaw County. You can find them here. Here is a list of drop box locations by municipality: City of Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Twp.
Augusta Twp.
City of Milan
Pittsfield Charter Twp.
Salem Twp.
City of Saline
Saline Twp.
Superior Twp.
York Twp.
City of Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti Twp.
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 as long as 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 distribute voter registration forms and register eligible voters in person. But if not, registering to vote by mai
VOTING IN PERSON On Nov. 8 (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. You can find your polling location here. To vote in-person state law requires either a Michigan driver’s license or state ID card, or 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:
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.
WHAT’S ON YOUR BALLOT? If you’re curious about what candidates and proposals are on your ballot this year, you can check out what’s on your ballot here. |
