Do you have a plan for voting in the General Election?
Posted on 10/07/2020
Vote by absent voter ballot now through Nov. 3 or in person on Election Day.Whether you plan to vote in person or by absent voter ballot, also known as mail-in ballot, this year’s General Election offers greater flexibility in casting your vote.

There’s been a major increase in the amount of absent voter ballots requested. City Clerk Dianna Massa has issued more than 2,700 ballots and approximately 28 percent of those have already been returned. Returning your absent voter ballot early is appreciated since it helps the clerk’s office be ready to process ballots on Election Day. You can do so by mail (with the return envelope that includes pre-paid postage), the drop-box at City Hall, or in person at the clerk’s office.

If the stub at the top of the ballot detaches from your ballot, include the stub with your ballot when you return it. Be sure to sign and date the return envelope that was provided with your ballot.

To track your absent voter ballot and make sure the clerk’s office received it in time for processing visit the Secretary of State webpage here.

“If a voter applied for a ballot prior to Oct. 1 and didn’t receive it, they should contact us so we can track the ballot and issue a replacement if needed,” said Massa.

During regular business hours, absent voter ballots will be mailed out within 24 hours after the request is made. You may also apply for and pick up an absent voter ballot in person at the clerk’s office.
 
How to register to vote
All U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old by Election Day can register to vote. Through Oct. 19, you can register to vote online at the Secretary of State’s office. You can also register in person at the City Clerk’s office, the County Clerk’s office, the Secretary of State branch offices or at agencies in which you receive services, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and military recruitment centers.

If you register in person, you will be asked to show photo ID, such as your driver’s license or state identification card. If you don’t have either of those, a school photo ID card or other government photo ID is acceptable. If no photo ID is available, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting you are not in possession of photo ID.

You can also register to vote by mail. If you have never voted in Michigan and register to vote by mail, you must meet the federal identification requirement before voting. This means that you either need to include a copy of a current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address.

Several community organizations sponsor voter registrations drives. Registering to vote at such a drive is the same as a mail-in voter registration. For contactless registration during COVID-19, you may want to choose an online option rather than an in-person option to register to vote.

From Oct. 20 through 8 p.m. Election Day, Nov. 3, you must register to vote in person at the City Clerk’s office and provide proof of residency.

Find voting information on websites
If you’re a new voter or voting by absentee ballot for the first time, review the Michigan Secretary of State website about voting guidelines and deadlines.

The League of Women Voters provides a non-partisan, online Voter Guide for Michigan's Primary Election. Visit VOTE411.org to access candidate information and see which office they are running for; it’s localized – simply type in your voting address. Federal, state, county and local candidates/races are all covered in the guide. VOTE411.org contains the candidates' responses to League questions. The League of Women Voters is a trusted source of non-partisan election information.

Elections and Voting – The Secretary of State answers Frequently Asked Questions on this website.

Locally, visit the City of Northville Elections and Voting website.

If you have questions about registering to vote or absentee ballots, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 248-349-1300 or by email to [email protected].