An incredibly important election will take place this year and I want you to have the information you need to be prepared to vote, even during this health pandemic. Coronavirus has changed so much around us but we must count on local and state officials to conduct fair and free elections.
Fortunately, due to recent changes in Michigan’s election law, you can now safely and reliably vote from home. Now more than ever, we need your participation at all levels of government to help us navigate through what’s next and come together for the best interest of our state and nation.
Included in this newsletter are local and state resources on voting. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Working for you,
Jeremy Moss
State Senator, Michigan’s 11th District
Representing Southern Oakland County
Assistant Democratic Leader
Toll-free: (855) DIST011 or (855) 347-8011
Website: SenatorMoss.com
Email: SenJMoss@senate.michigan.gov
Michigan COVID-19 Hotline
1-888-535-6136 | Michigan.gov/Coronavirus
P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909
Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA)
1-866-500-0017 | Michigan.gov/UIA
Pure Michigan Talent Connect
1-888-522-0103 | MITalent.org
Michigan Works! Association
1-800-285-9675 | MichiganWorks.org
Michigan COVID-19 Mental Health Hotline
1-888-733-7753 | Michigan.gov/StayWell
Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration (MIOSHA)
1-800-866-4674 | Michigan.gov/MIOSHA
Redistricting and the 2020 Census
Every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, district lines for all political offices must be redrawn in states across the country to accurately reflect their population.
Voters amended the state Constitution in November 2018 to give Michigan residents — not legislators or special interest groups — the responsibility to redraw U.S. Congressional and Michigan House and Senate district lines. This commission will be composed of 13 randomly selected Michigan registered voters: four affiliated with the Democratic Party, four affiliated with the Republican Party, and five who do not affiliate with either major political party.
This year is also a Census year, and it has never been easier to participate. By returning your completed Census form, you are helping Michigan to be represented in Congress and determining how much funding we get for Head Start, health care, schools, roads, and our local communities.
Visit My2020Census.gov to complete your questionnaire. Your login information is a 12-digit number located on the packet sent to you earlier this year. If you do not have a number or cannot locate those materials, the website also has a link to redirect you. If you want to complete your Census form via phone, call 1-844-330-2020.
Important note: Census workers will never ask for any personally identifiable information, such as your bank account or social security numbers.
The novel coronavirus pandemic has changed the dates of when certain phases of the Census will take place, but all you need to do is remember to fill out and return your form.
Census Date Changes
| Activity | Pre-COVID-19 | Post-COVID-19 |
| Data gathering begins | January 2020 | January 2020 |
| Data gathering ends | July 31, 2020 | October 31, 2020* |
| Data for congressional reappointment due | December 31, 2020 | April 30, 2021** |
| Data for redistricting by the states due | March 31, 2021 | July 31, 2021** |
My2020Census.gov
Please visit the website above for more information on the Census, the questions it asks, and who it counts per household.
Important Election Dates
As it currently exists, Michigan law states the following as deadlines for this year’s November general election:
October 19
Last day to register in any manner, other than in-person, with the local clerk for the November general election.
October 20 through 8:00 p.m. November 3
In-person registration, with proof of residency, at the local clerk’s office.
November 3
Statewide general election.
Who is on the Ballot?
While the specific names of individuals — especially in the state House and local elections — vary by district, the following offices are up for election in 2020:
- U.S. President/Vice President
- U.S. Senator (1 seat)
- U.S. Representative in Congress (all 14 districts)
- State Representative (all 110 districts)
- State Board of Education (2 seats)
- University of Michigan Regents (2 seats), Michigan State University Trustees (2 seats), and Wayne State University Governors (2 seats)
- Justice of the Supreme Court
- Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Circuit Court, the District Court and Probate Court, respectively
- County, township, city and village offices
- Specified school district positions
ELECTION 2020: You Can Vote from Home
Election laws have changed in Michigan and it has never been easier to vote from home. Absentee ballot applications can be filled out and submitted entirely online, and voters no longer need to specify a reason for choosing to vote by absentee ballot. Should you prefer to vote in-person at the polls, that option will still be available to you.
Ways to complete your absent voter ballot application
BY MAIL
On Tuesday, May 19, 2020, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that all registered voters in Michigan will receive an application to vote by mail. By now, you should have received that application to vote absentee from either your local clerk or the Secretary of State. This form gives you the option to receive an absentee ballot in order to vote by mail. Once a voter signs their application, they can mail or email a photo of it to their local clerk, whose contact information is included on the application.
The application is also available for download at Michigan.gov/Vote, where you can register and join the permanent absent voter list, so you always have the option to vote from home if you so choose.
ONLINE
On Friday, June 12, 2020, the Secretary of State’s office announced a new, online absentee voter application platform. By visiting Michigan.gov/Vote, you can:
• Check your voter registration status.
All eligible and registered voters in Michigan may now request an absent voter ballot without providing a reason.
• NEW! Complete and return an absent voter ballot application online. You can now fill out and return your absent voter ballot application online at Michigan.gov/Vote. To use the online application, you need to be registered to vote in Michigan and have a valid Michigan driver’s license or state ID.
• Not sure where your polling location is or who your city or county clerk are? Michigan.gov/Vote* can help you find that answer. Some jurisdictions provide a sample ballot so you can know who — and what — you’re voting on before you head to the polls or complete your absentee ballot.
Available information on Michigan.gov/Vote
• Who/where your clerk is;
• Online voter registration;
• Online absent voter ballot application;
• Military and overseas voters;
• Working at the polls;
• Voting equipment;
• Statewide ballot proposals;
• Candidate information links;
• Acceptable voter identification at the polls*; and, • Registered voters by county.
*As the website also indicates, while it is strongly encouraged, you are not required to have identification when you go to the polls so long as you are prepared to sign a legally binding affidavit attesting to your identity.
To date, of the 7.7 million registered voters in the state, about 1.3 million are on the permanent absent voter list, and their local election clerk mails them applications ahead of every election.