MEA Votes

Many Michigan citizens have already voted by applying for and receiving an absentee ballot. Ballots were mailed earlier this month and have been returned to city and township clerks.

Is it going to be difficult for you to get to the polls on November 4th? If so, make a request for an absentee ballot.

As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee voter ballot if you are:

 Age 60 years old or older
 Unable to vote without assistance at the polls
 Expecting to be out of town on election day
 In jail awaiting arraignment or trial
 Unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons
 Appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.

Your request for an absentee voter ballot must be in writing and can be submitted to your city or township clerk. The request must include one of the six statutory reasons stated above and your signature. You must request an absentee voter ballot by mailing the online application, a letter, a postcard, or a pre-printed application form obtained from your local clerk’s office. Requests to have an absentee voter ballot mailed to you must be received by your clerk no later that 2 p.m. the Saturday before the election. (November 1, 2008) You must be a registered voter to receive an absentee ballot. Requests for absentee ballots are processed immediately. Absentee voter ballots may be issued to you at your home address or any address outside of your city or township of residence.

After receiving your ballot, you have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to complete the ballot and return it to the clerk’s office. Your ballot will not be counted unless your signature is on the return envelope and matches your signature on file. If you received assistance voting the ballot, then the signature of the person who helped you must also be on the return envelope. Only you, a family member or person residing in your household, a mail carrier, or election official is authorized to deliver your signed absentee ballot to your clerk’s office.

You may obtain an application for absentee voting and obtain the address of your city or township clerk at http://www.Michigan.gov/vote.

Voting is the most fundamental right in our country. If you are eligible to obtain an absentee ballot and cannot attend the polls on Election Day, use of the absentee voter ballot is strongly encouraged.

Linda Myers, MEA Campaign Consultant