UNDATED (WKZO AM/FM) — Michigan’s Presidential Primary is Tuesday, March 10th and with the new no-reason absentee voting, there are a lot of important deadlines residents need to remember.
— ABSENTEE VOTING —
Voters have until 4 p.m. Monday to still grab an absentee ballot. They can only be picked up at their registered city or township clerk’s office and must be filled out and returned at that time in order to be counted.
For those who still have absentee ballots, it’s best to drop them off at the clerk’s office any time before 8 p.m. Tuesday, at the very latest.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson held a news conference reassuring voters that Michigan’s elections are more secure than ever, but results will likely come later than usual due to the influx in absentee ballots.
— REGISTER TO VOTE —
Thanks to the passage of Proposal 3’s “Promote the Vote” in 2018, Michiganders can now register to vote on Monday or even on election day at their specific city or township election office as well.
— SPOILING BALLOTS —
Anyone still hoping to spoil their ballot and change their vote can do so at the county clerk’s office until 4 p.m. Monday.
The names of all the candidates who qualified for the Michigan primary will still appear on the ballot whether they are still running or not.
There are 15 names on the Democratic ticket and four on the Republican ticket; however, a majority have dropped out.
All voters may want to check the status of their favorite before they head for the polls on Tuesday.
— BALLOT PROPOSALS —
There’s much more than just the presidential candidates on the ballot for Tuesday’s election.
Over 200 Michigan communities will be voting on various local millage requests and renewals for schools, infrastructure, public transportation, and more.
Explanations of the ballot proposals for Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties can be found here and a list of proposals for multiple counties in Southwest Michigan can be found here.
Specific sample ballots for each location can be found at michigan.gov/vote.
— DAY OF DETAILS —
Everyone else not voting absentee, it’s best to just vote at the specific precinct locations between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Voter should bring a valid form or identification to the polling place, but those without an ID can still cast a ballot by signing a brief affidavit.
— POLLING SELFIE RULES/CAMPAIGN MERCHANDISE —
The Secretary of State’s office is reminding voters about the rules of selfies in the polling place.
Michigan’s law allows voters to snap a picture of their marked or unmarked ballot inside the voting booth but residents cannot take pictures of themselves in the polling place or with their ballot.
They also prohibit sharing photos of a voted ballot within 100 feet of a polling place.
Overall it’s best to save those “I voted” sticker selfies for home.
In addition, the Secretary of State’s website says, “Michigan has prohibited the practice of displaying election-related materials at the polls for decades. This includes clothing and buttons as well as materials such as pamphlets, fliers and stickers. You cannot display such items in the polling place or within 100 feet of an entrance to a polling place. If you go to the polls with a shirt or button bearing election-related images or slogans, you will be asked to cover or remove it.”
— PROBLEMS —
If a voter experiences any problem they can contact the Michigan Secretary of State office at (517) 335-3234 or the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.
