You are qualified to vote if:
You are at least 18 years of age on or before the day of election at which you wish to vote.
You are a citizen of the United States.
You have been a Michigan Resident for at least 30 days before the election; and,
You have registered to vote on or before the close of registration preceding the election at which you seek to vote.
Vote in the precinct in which you reside. When you register, the clerk will give you a card that gives the location of your precinct and polling place. The card also lists the district numbers of your U.S. Representative, State Senator, State Representative, and County Commissioner. A list of the locations of polling places for precincts appears in local newspapers before each election.
How can I register?
At your city, township or village clerk’s office.
At any Secretary of State branch office.
At the specified agency for clients of the Family Independence Agency, and Department of Community Health.
Is my registration permanent?
Registration is permanent; however, any time you move from one community to another you must reregister.
You may vote by absentee ballot if you:
Are 60 years of age or more.
Expect to be absent from your community for the entire time the polls are open on Election Day.
Are physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another.
Cannot attend the polls because of the tenets of your religion.
Have been appointed an election precinct inspector in a precinct other than the precinct in which you reside.
Are confined to jail awaiting arraignment or trial.
How do I apply for an absent voter ballot?
By contacting your city, township or village clerk. They will send you an application to complete and return.
In person at the local clerk’s office.
What is the deadline for applying for absentee ballots?
Application must be made by 2:00 p.m. on the Saturday preceding the election.
If after the deadline is passed and it is found an AV ballot is required, you may go to the local clerk’s office on any working day up to 4:00 p.m. of the day preceding election. Both application and voting ballot will occur at this time.
Emergency application can be made up to 4:00 p.m. of Election Day. Reasons are confined to sickness or physical disability, absent from the community because of sickness or death in the family. Either of these events must have occurred at a time that made it impossible to apply by the Saturday 2:00 p.m. deadline.
What is the difference between a primary and general election?
In a primary election, voters choose a party and vote for candidates from that party only. If votes are case for candidates from different parties in a primary election, the partisan ballot will be rejected.
In a general election, all voters elect officials from the party nominees and independent candidates.
SHIAWASSEE COUNTY VOTERS ELECT:
President/Vice President
U. S. Senator
U. S. Representative
Governor/Lt. Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
State Senators
State Representatives
County Wide Officials
County Commissioners
Members of the State Board of Education
Board of Regents, University of Michigan
Board of Trustees, Michigan State University
Board of Governors, Wayne State University
Justices of the Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Court of Appeals Judges
Circuit Court Judge
Probate Court Judge
District Court Judges
City, Township and Village Officials
School Board Members
Delegates to County Convention
Candidates are required to file financial declaration forms. These forms are available at from the Michigan Secretary of State.
HOW IMPORTANT IS ONE VOTE?
In 1776, one vote made English the official language in America instead of German.
In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the union.
In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.
In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the Presidency of the United States.
In 1933, one vote gave Adolph Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party.
In 1941, one vote saved Selective Service – just weeks before Pearl Harbor was attacked.
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE!