UPDATED 10/30/2020:
What Voters Need to Know in the Final Days to Cast Ballots
Below is information provided by the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office regarding the November 3 Election.
Michigan.gov/Vote: Michiganders can check their registration, find their local clerk offices, drop boxes and polling place, and track their absentee ballot at the state’s official website.
Registration through Election Day: Eligible citizens can register to vote and then vote an absentee ballot in one trip to their city clerk’s office now through Election Day, Nov. 3. As long as voters are in line by 8 p.m. on Election Day they must be allowed to register and vote. To register within 14 days of the election, a voter must bring a document verifying residency, like a utility bill, school ID or government mail with their address (digital copies are acceptable).
Early Voting by Absentee Ballot at City Clerk’s Office: Registered voters can request and submit absentee ballots in one trip. For your convenience, the City Clerk’s Office will be open on Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Monday, November 2 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Return Absentee Ballots ASAP: Voters who already have an absentee ballot should fill it out, sign the back of the envelope, and hand-deliver it to their city clerk’s office or drop box (located at Mt. Pleasant City Hall’s entrance) as soon as possible, and no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Voters must bring their ballot to a drop box in their jurisdiction.
Missing Absentee Ballot: If a voter requested an absentee ballot and it never arrived or they lost it, they should go to their clerk’s office immediately to request and submit one in person. If they cannot do so due to health reasons, they should contact their clerk immediately.
Requested Absentee but Want to Vote at Polls: If a voter requested and received an absentee ballot but decided they would prefer to vote at their polling place, they should bring the absentee ballot with them to the polls. Once there, they can surrender it for a new ballot that they will fill out and place in the tabulation machine.
Submitted Absentee Ballot but Want to Change Vote: Voters who already submitted an absentee ballot but want to change or cancel their vote should go to their city clerk’s office as soon as possible, and no later than 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. On Election Day, voters who have already cast an absentee ballot will NOT be able to change or cancel it.
Polling Places Will Be Safe, Clean and Accessible: Masks, gloves, sanitizer, and protocols for hygiene and social distancing have been provided to election jurisdictions statewide. Election workers are required to wear masks and voters are strongly encouraged to do so. All polling places must have Voter Assist Terminals for any voter who wants to use one.
Voter Intimidation is Illegal: Anyone who experiences or witnesses voter intimidation, harassment or coercion of any kind should report it immediately to an election worker or their election clerk’s office. Intimidating a voter with a firearm or any other weapon or menacing behavior is a felony under existing law enforceable by local law enforcement.
All Valid Absentee Ballots Will Be Counted Fairly: To be valid, absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s city clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day on Nov. 3, and have a signature that matches the one on file with the clerk. Absentee ballots are counted by pairs of election workers, one from each major political party, to ensure they are counted without political bias and in accordance with the law.
Complete Election Results Will Not Come Tuesday: Absentee ballots take longer to process and count than ballots cast at polling places. And unlike other states, Michigan law provides very limited ability for clerks to prepare them ahead of Election Day. Because of this, and the significant increase in voters casting absentee ballots, it could take until Friday, Nov. 6, for all ballots to be counted. Depending on how close the races are, this likely means results will not be determined on Tuesday.
Other Election Day Information:
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020.
Do you need a ride to and from the polls? I-Ride is offering free rides. Call (989) 772-9441 to schedule.
———END OF 10/30/2020 UPDATE——–
10/19/2020 UPDATE: Due to the November 2018 passage of a statewide ballot proposal, all registered voters in Michigan are now eligible to vote via absentee ballot without a specific reason. This, coupled with our current COVID-19 reality, the City of Mt. Pleasant has experienced a dramatic increase in absentee ballot requests. A record number of individuals participated in absentee voting for the August 2020 Primary Election, this number is expected to grow for the November 3, 2020 General Election.
How to Sign Up for Absentee Voting
If you did not select the absentee ballot option for the November General Election on the August Primary absentee ballot application, which was mailed to your residence, or request a ballot already, you may still vote absentee on November 3rd by:
- Completing an Absentee Voter Application Form which is available at the City Clerk’s office, or can be found online at http://www.michigan.gov/sos. The United States Postal Service is recommending individuals who choose to mail their application do so 15 days prior to Election Day.
Absentee Ballot Mailing Timeline
Absentee ballots were mailed on September 24 to those individuals who previously requested an absentee ballot for the November 3rd election.
Absentee Ballot Return Options
- Drop absentee ballots off at the Absentee Ballot Drop Box located on the sidewalk near the main entrance of City Hall.
- Drop off ballot in person at the City Clerk’s Office located on the second floor of City Hall. 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Ballots must be received by the close of polls on November 3rd.
- Absentee ballots can be mailed to City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street. If mailing your absentee ballot, the United States Postal Service recommends mailing at least 7 days before Election Day. Ballots must be received by the close of polls on November 3rd.
In-person absentee voting:
This option is available at the City Clerk’s office Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. starting September 24, through Monday, November 2, 2020 at 4 p.m. For your convenience, the City Clerk’s office will also be open for in-person absentee voting on Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Absentee Ballot Tracking
Absentee ballots can be tracked by visiting www.mi.gov/vote.
Election Day Information
Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Even though safety protocols will be in place at all polling locations, absentee voting is the safest option during this COVID-19 pandemic. Need a ride to and from the polls? I-Ride is offering free rides. Call (989) 772-9441 to schedule.
Visit www.mi.gov/vote to confirm where you are registered to vote. If you have questions regarding absentee voting, or being added to the permanent absentee voter list, call (989) 779-5361.
City of Mt.Pleasant 