Election Information

Voter Eligibility

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.

Where Do I Vote?

  • Vote in the precinct in which you reside. Shortly after registering, the clerk will provide you with 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.

Voter Registration

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.

Absentee Voting

Who can request an absentee ballot?

  • Any registered voter is eligible to request an absentee ballot.

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?

  • Applications by mail must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday 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 Friday 5:00 p.m. deadline.

Election Questions

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 cast 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

Candidate Financial Forms

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!