KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo county, city, and township clerks may band together to help each other pull off next year’s presidential primaries.
Michigan voters approved an election reform measure in 2022. It requires nine days of early voting, additional drop-off boxes, and other amenities that insure a fair and free election.
Kalamazoo County Clerk/Register of Deeds Meredith Place says she has been working with the 19 other city and township clerks on a county agreement to share the costs and administration.
The preliminary plan is to jointly operate early voting stations strategically located around the county.
The new requirements also call for drop boxes county wide and free postage for absentee voters.
The Michigan legislature has authorized $30-million to finance the additional amenities. The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners approved applying for some of that funding this week. It would help cover the extra costs and manpower required.
The City of Kalamazoo has already implemented some of the new reforms, like drop boxes, early voting, and postage paid absentee ballots, using grant funding.
It’s mandatory that all clerks in Michigan have the reforms in place by next spring’s presidential primaries.
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