PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The May 5th election will look a little different this year as cities and counties around the state encourage residents to vote from home.
When Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order was first put in place, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that absentee voter ballot applications will be mailed to all Michigan voters to help ensure that both public health and democratic rights are protected.
Some precincts have decided to move their ballot measures to August instead, but Portage is one of the areas where residents will have to submit their votes by mail for the May 5th election.
A released statement by the city said, “Voting from home will help limit the spread of the COVID-19 by reducing the number of in-person interactions. This will help keep voters, election workers and the community safe and healthy.”
However, each jurisdiction must keep at least one polling place open on election day for those who still want to vote in person.
Registered voters will be able to receive and submit ballots at Portage City Hall.
Portage residents already registered to voter will be receiving absentee voter applications. Voters can also download and print applications online by visiting the city of Portage’s website.
Applications must be signed by hand and when completed sent to the Portage City Clerk through the following ways:
• Postal Mail to: Portage City Clerk, 7900 South Westnedge Avenue, Portage MI 49002
• Scan or take a picture of the signed application and e-mail it to cityclerk@portagemi.gov.
• Deliver it to Portage City Hall using the outside “Night Drop Box” at the front of the building.
All Michigan voters are now eligible to vote absentee after a statewide ballot proposal was passed in 2018.
A millage proposal on the ballot asks to renew an expired 1.5 mil property taxes to fund the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency. Another proposal asks some Portage voters whether to approve an additional 3.3 mil property tax to fund improvements for school buildings and athletic facilities at Vicksburg Community Schools.
More details on some of the ballot measures in Kalamazoo County can be found here.
