(Photo courtesy of Jeana Gondek)
KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Today is Election Day, but unlike past presidential elections, it’s very unlikely that voters will have all of the declared winners by election night.
Due to the record-breaking voter turnout, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson still believes that they won’t have complete unofficial vote counts until sometime on Friday. Some local races could come in before then but Benson is still encouraging everyone to remain patient. She adds that no matter how long it takes, voters can be confident that their ballots will be counted.
Voters still with absentee ballots should hand-deliver them to their local township or city clerk’s office or to a drop box if they have it. They should not be put in the mail at this point because they must be at the clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
DEADLINES –
- Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. but those in line by 8 p.m. will still be able to vote past the close of the polls.
- In-person voter registration must be completed by Election Day at 8 p.m.
- Requests for receiving an absentee ballot in person must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, and returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
REGISTER TO VOTE —
Thanks to the passage of Proposal 3’s “Promote the Vote” in 2018, Michiganders can now register to vote even on Election Day at their specific city or township election office.
According to Michigan’s Voter Information Center, if you’ve never registered in Michigan before, you must go in person to your city or township clerk’s office before 8 p.m. on Election Day and provide a document showing proof of residency. You will also be able to vote while at your clerk’s office. The document must include your current address and can be in electronic form. You may show:
The document must include your current address and can be in electronic form. You may show:
- a Michigan driver’s license or state ID
- a current utility bill
- a bank statement
- a paycheck
- a government check
- another government document
If you’re not sure if you are registered, go to michigan.gov/vote to check your status.
BRING A PHOTO ID —
Photo identification is not needed to vote in-person but officials with the Secretary of State say it makes the process go a little quicker.
The following photo IDs are acceptable:
- Michigan driver’s license or state-issued ID card
- Driver’s license or personal identification card issued by another state
- Federal or state government-issued photo identification
- U.S. passport
- Military ID with photo
- Student identification with photo from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning
- Tribal identification card with photo
More information on proper photo IDs can be found here.
MASK RULES —
Voters cannot be turned away for not wearing a face covering but election officials are encouraging in-person voters to follow all heath guidelines under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Election workers will be equipped with masks, gloves, and cleaning supplies and they will have proper protocols in place to maintain social distancing.
“We ask that you please wear a mask,” Kalamazoo City Clerk Scott Borling said. “We can’t force people to wear a mask, we’re not going to keep a person from voting, we can’t send them away, but we’re asking for the safety of our poll workers and the other voters there, please wear a mask when you come.”
LEAVE CAMPAIGN APPAREL AT HOME —
All election-related clothing should be left at home.
Candidate signs, campaign apparel, and political buttons, hats and other accessories are not allowed at polling places. Voters will be asked to cover them up or take them off.
More information can be found here.
GUNS AT POLLS —
The open carry of firearms is still technically allowed in and around most polling places in Michigan on Tuesday.
That’s because the Michigan Supreme Court has not responded to a request from Attorney General Dana Nessel to review challenges to the legality of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s open carry ban on Election Day.
However, open carry will still not be allowed in some polling places, like those that are in churches and schools, due to state law.
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The best place for election information is michigan.gov/vote.
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