Election Day, Nov. 3 2020
This Election Day, voters locally and around the country have cast absentee ballots and voted early in record numbers as others head to the polls on Nov. 3.
No matter which method you use – by absentee ballot or in person on Election Day – use these checklists to make sure your vote counts.
If you are voting by absentee ballot
1. When is the deadline to return my absentee ballot? - Only the absentee ballots received by 8 p.m. Nov. 3 can be counted (postmarks are not accepted). Voters who have completed their absentee ballot are advised to hand-deliver their ballot to the Clerk’s office or use one of the two drop boxes at City Hall (in the vestibule and in the circular drive).
2. Was my ballot received by the Clerk and was my signature accepted?
Use the link on the Secretary of State website to track your ballot. When your ballot is noted as received by the clerk, the signature was accepted and the ballot is ready for processing on Election Day.
3. When will my absentee ballot be tabulated?
Absentee ballots will be tabulated on Election Day. This work is done by a biparty group of election workers that make up the Absent Voter Counting Board (AVCB). At 7 a.m. on Election day, the AVCB will begin opening ballot envelopes and preparing the ballots for tabulation.
If you plan to go to the polls on Election Day
1. Confirm your voter registration and find your polling place - Check your voter’s registration and find your polling place on the
Secretary of State website. If you are not registered, you can register to vote any time up to 8 p.m. on Election Day by coming to the Clerk’s office and showing current proof of residency. If you wait until Election Day to register to vote, you may experience additional wait time.
2. Review the sample ballot and voter guides – The ballot is very long with many contests and proposals. A Sample Ballot and voter guides are available on the City’s website. Hard copies of sample ballots are available in the City Hall 24-hour vestibule. Hard copies of voter guides are available at the Northville District Library. You may bring these materials with you on Election Day. Preparing ahead of time helps reduce voting booth wait time on Election Day.
3. Polling place hours on Election day – the polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Everyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Please be patient if voting during peak times, which are 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Allow sufficient time to vote. If you are concerned about a long wait at your polling place, consider voting by absentee ballot.
4. Photo ID requirement - Have your photo ID readily available for the poll workers. If you are not in possession of photo ID, you can vote after completing an affidavit attesting that you are not in possession of your photo ID. Read more about the photo ID requirement
here.
5. I applied for an absentee ballot but did not receive it. Can I go to my polling place on Election Day?
If you did not receive your absentee ballot, you can go to your polling place and vote in person on Election Day. You will experience a slight delay as the poll workers will ask you to leave the line as they need to call the Clerk’s office to confirm your absentee ballot was not received. You will also be required to sign an affidavit. Then you will be issued a precinct ballot.
6. What about campaign materials, including buttons, shirts, and hats?
Campaign materials such as stickers, buttons, or candidate/political party clothing may not be worn within 100 feet of the entrance to the polling place. This includes materials with a slogan that can be linked to a candidate or political party. Poll workers will remind you to remove these items or conceal them. You may refer to campaign materials while in the voting booth. Please do not leave your campaign materials in the voting booth.
7. Are ballot selfies allowed? While voters can take a picture of their ballot in the voting booth, for the privacy and security of neighboring voters, voters are prohibited against holding their ballot up for a selfie and/or photo.
8. Polling place safety – Voters are encouraged to wear a face mask to protect themselves and others while voting. Socially distanced lines, voting booths, and sanitizing procedures might make for a slightly longer wait to vote. Please be patient with our poll workers.
If you have any other questions about voting or Election Day, please contact
[email protected]