VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Everything Michigan voters need to know for Election Day
Although a majority of Michiganders are voting absentee this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many who will head to the polls on Election Day. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is confident voters and polling locations will be safe and secure for those who choose to vote in person.
The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. She said this year’s presidential election “one of the most unique and challenging in our lifetime” and said those seeking to falsely influence voters’ understanding of the truth are wrong, adding “our voters believe in the integrity of our elections.”
Whether you need to register, cast your ballot, or voting on Election Day, here are tips to make things easier:
HISTORIC TURNOUT
Record-breaking turnout is expected with over 3.3 million ballots issued and over 2.6 million returned statewide as of Friday. There are roughly 8 million registered voters in Michigan, including over 300,000 that have registered since the August primary election.
POLL SAFETY
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has recommended voters and election workers take precautions. Polling locations will feature separated voting stations, floor markings to keep those waiting in line socially distanced, and hand sanitizer to use before and after voting. Election workers are required to wear masks and voters are encouraged, but not required to wear masks inside polling locations. Voters are also encouraged to bring a blue or black ballpoint pens with them if they are not comfortable using pens at the polls, and to vote at off-peak times, such as mid-morning, to avoid crowds and lines. To further shorten time inside, voters are encouraged, but not required to bring photo identification such as a driver’s license or state ID card, U.S. passport, or a military, student or tribal ID.
ON THE BALLOT
Voters statewide will see on their ballot candidates for federal, state, county and local government offices. Local, county and state proposals will also appear on ballots statewide.
We conducted Q& As with candidates running for U.S. Senate,
U.S. House, Oakland County government and locally- elected offices. View those Q& As by visiting theoaklandpress. com/news/elections/.
REPORT TROUBLE
A recent directive prohibiting firearms inside or within 100 feet of polling locations was struck down by a state appeals court earlier this week. State Attorney General Dana Nessel said the polls will be safe and secure. “We don’t intend to have law enforcement at the polls,” Nessel said. “We don’t usually do that and we’re not going to do it this year. They will be nearby in the event there are any issues whatsoever.” She is asking Michiganders to report election misinformation and voter intimidation to misinformation@michigan.gov. Her office can be reached at (517)335-7659.
NO UMBRELLAS
Tuesday’s forecast for southeast Michigan calls for partly sunny skies with light breezes a temperatures in the low 50s, according to weather.com There is only a 10% chance of rain so you can leave boots and umbrellas at home.
CHANGING A VOTE
Registered voters have until 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, to submit written requests in person at their local clerk’s office to spoil their original ballots and receive a new ballot in order to change their vote. On Election Day, voters who have already returned ballots can not spoil their early ballots and change their vote at the polls or at their clerk’s office. Voters who have not returned ballots can spoil it by completing an Affidavit of Lost or Destroyed Absent Voter Ballot or by surrendering the original ballot at their polling location or local clerk’s office. All ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
REGISTER TO VOTE
It’s too late to register to vote online or by mail. Michiganders can register now through 8 p.m. on Election Day in person at their local clerk’s office. These voters will be required to cast their ballot in person at the clerk’s office, not their voting precinct. To register, you must present an ID or physical/electronic document proving your residence, such as a state driver’s license or state ID, current utility bill, bank statement, pay stub, government check stub or another government document with your address. You can find out if you’re registered to vote by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/.
EARLY VOTING
While it’s too late to return ballots by mail, there is still time obtain an absentee ballot in person at the local clerk’s office and to submit it there or put it in a drop box. Registered voters have until 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, to obtain an absentee ballots, which must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day to count. Make sure to sign your absentee ballot’s return envelope before submitting it.
Visit mvic.sos. state.mi.us to find the address for your local clerk’s office. Ballot drop box locations can be found by visiting https:// www.michigandropbox.com/. A state court recently ruled all ballots received after 8 p.m. on Election Day cannot be counted.
SPLITTING BALLOTS
Voters can split their ballots, selecting candidates from different political parties. View a sample ballot by visiting https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/ and entering in your name, birth month, birth year and zip code. Oakland County voters will find a summary of races and issues inside today’s print edition. Voters should make sure to check both sides of ballots for any state, county or local proposals and nonpartisan judicial races.
LATER RESULTS
Election officials expect final election results to be delayed for several days due to the increase in absentee and early voting and the limited time clerks have to pre-process absentee ballots before Election Day. Voters should not expect complete results on election night. Benson said it could take until Friday to count the millions of state absentee ballots and maybe longer if more absentee ballots are received or there are challenges to the results. As of Friday, 2.6 million of the 3.35 million absentee ballots issued had been cast statewide, breaking the record for total absent-voter ballots ever cast in a Michigan election. Oakland County communities have received 416,714 ballots of 536,050 issued. Election results can be found by visiting: https://mielections.us/election/results/2020GEN_CENR.html