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Elections
- Election Oversight
- Election Inspectors
- Voter Registration
- Absentee Ballots
- Candidate Filing Information
- Federal Post Card Application
- Important Dates to Remember
The City Clerk's office oversees all elections in the City of Battle Creek, working in coordination with the Calhoun County Clerk.
The City of Battle Creek is divided into 5 Wards, which are made up of 21 Precincts.
A registered voter must vote at the polling location for his or her own precinct, which is determined by the voter's address. Check the Ward-Precinct map below to determine your Ward and Precinct. Check the table below for the address of your polling location.
By Michigan State Law, a voter must be registered to vote at least 30 days before the election in which they want to vote.
Additional elections and voter information is available by clicking on the menu tabs on the left. For more information about elections or to check your registered voter status online, visit the State of Michigan Voter website.
**IMPORTANT NOTICE**
Electors of the Battle Creek School District in Precincts #9 and #23
Your polling location has been changed for the MAY 8, 2018 Election ONLY!Based on the complexity of the ballot and expected voter turnout, in addition to saving costs to the taxpayers, we have arranged for you to vote THIS TIME ONLY at:
Trinity United Methodist Church, 10 W. Bidwell Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015.
You may request an Absent Voter ballot by contacting the City of Battle Creek Clerk, Victoria Houser at (269) 966-3348 or 10 N. Division Street, Battle Creek. The polls will be open 7:00 am until 8:00 pm. To view the proposal language on you MAY 8, 2018 ballot, simply go to www.co.calhoun.mi.us
City Election Change
The City Commission in the spring of 2017 had discussed moving the odd-year city elections to even years, adding city commissioner candidates to the ballot with state, congressional, and presidential candidates.
On May 16, 2017, the City Commission approved moving city elections from odd to even years going forward, those elected in the fall of 2017 will serve three-year terms. Starting in 2020, terms will return to two years.
Official Election Results
Calhoun County election results can be viewed here. Statewide results can be viewed here.
Polling Locations
| Precinct |
Location |
Address |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trinity Lutheran Church | 2055 Columbia Ave. E |
| 2 | Battle Creek First Assembly of God | 800 S 24th Street |
| 3 | Battle Creek First Assembly of God | 800 S 24th Street |
| 4 | Christ United Methodist Church | 65 N Bedford Road |
| 5 | First Wesleyan Church |
14425 Helmer Rd S |
| 6 | Chapel Hill United Methodist Church |
157 Chapel Hill Drive |
| 7 | Trinity United Methodist Church | 10 W. Bidwell Street |
| 8 | St. Peter Lutheran Church |
1079 Riverside Drive |
| 9 | Chapel Hill United Methodist Church |
157 Chapel Hill Drive |
| 10 | Christ United Methodist Church | 65 N. Bedford Road |
| 11 | First Wesleyan Church |
14425 Helmer Rd S |
| 12 | Second Baptist Church | 485 N. Washington Ave. |
| 13 | Trinity United Methodist Church | 10 W. Bidwell Street |
| 15 | Emmett Street Missionary Church | 552 E. Emmett Street |
| 17 | Emmett Street Missionary Church |
552 E. Emmett Street |
| 18 | Cherry Hill Manor | 10 Clay Street |
| 19 | Maple United Methodist Church | 342 Capital Ave. NE |
| 20 | First Wesleyan Church |
14425 S. Helmer Road |
| 21 | Second Baptist Church | 485 N. Washington Ave. |
| 22 | Battle Creek First Assembly of God |
800 S. 24th Street |
| 23 | Battle Creek First Assembly of God |
800 S. 24th Street |
Wards & Precincts
The City of Battle Creek consists of 5 wards and 23 precincts.
- Ward 1 Map (PDF)
- Ward 2 Map (PDF)
- Ward 3 Map (PDF)
- Ward 4 Map (PDF)
- Ward 5 Map (PDF)
- Wards and Precincts Map (PDF)
Election Inspector
The City of Battle Creek is looking for people to work the polls on Election Day. By serving as an Election Inspector, residents can serve their community and earn extra income at the same time!
Responsibilities
Inspectors will be stationed at 1 of 21 precincts (PDF) throughout the city and will be responsible for opening the precinct on Election Day, ensuring that voters are registered and are voting in the proper precinct, assigning ballots, assisting voters and closing the polls. Election Inspectors are paid for working on Election Day and will also receive additional payment for attending mandatory training prior to Election Day. The City is currently looking for Election Inspectors, Chairmen, and Computer Operators.
Apply
A precinct Election Inspector for the City of Battle Creek shall be a qualified and registered elector of the state of Michigan, shall have a good reputation, and shall have sufficient education and clerical ability to perform the duties of the office. Anyone, ages 16 & 17 can also serve as an Election Inspector with a valid work permit. An Inspector cannot be a challenger, candidate, member of a candidate's immediate family, or a member of the local Board of Canvassers. Anyone convicted of a felony or an election crime may not serve.
A person must file an application in his own handwriting to the City Clerk.
- Election Inspector Application (PDF)
- Under 18 Election Inspector Application with Work Permit (PDF) **Please note that the last four (4) pages of this application MUST be printed in color or on yellow paper.
- State of Michigan Combined Offer of Employment and Work Permit/Age Certificate
The City Clerk's Office
10 N Division Street
Suite 111
Battle Creek, MI 49014
Voter Registration
Individuals are eligible to register to vote if they meet the following qualifications:
Individuals may also register at the Secretary of State’s Office, City Clerk’s Office, County Clerk’s Office, or any Armed Forces recruitment office.
Voters must be registered to vote in the State of Michigan no later than 30 days prior to an election.
Crimes & Felonies
Attention registered voters who have been convicted and sentenced for a crime and are in confinement as a result of that conviction and sentencing: You may not vote during the time you are in confinement. Confinement is defined by Michigan Department of Prisons for the purpose of voting as incarcerated in jail or prison, under house arrest, on a tether or serving in a work release program.
Your voting rights are restored once you have completed your sentence, even if you have been convicted and sentenced for a felony charge. If you are charged with a crime, but not convicted or sentenced, you may vote even if you are in jail.
Contact the City Clerk's office at 269-966-3348 for directions on applying for an absentee ballot for the election you wish to vote in. If your sentencing prevents you from entering public school grounds and your precinct voting location is located in a school, please contact the City Clerk's office about voting absentee ballot.
Individuals are eligible to register to vote if they meet the following qualifications:
- At least 18 years of age by Election Day
- A resident of the State of Michigan and a 30-day resident of the City of Battle Creek
- A United States citizen
Individuals may also register at the Secretary of State’s Office, City Clerk’s Office, County Clerk’s Office, or any Armed Forces recruitment office.
Voters must be registered to vote in the State of Michigan no later than 30 days prior to an election.
Crimes & Felonies
Attention registered voters who have been convicted and sentenced for a crime and are in confinement as a result of that conviction and sentencing: You may not vote during the time you are in confinement. Confinement is defined by Michigan Department of Prisons for the purpose of voting as incarcerated in jail or prison, under house arrest, on a tether or serving in a work release program.
Your voting rights are restored once you have completed your sentence, even if you have been convicted and sentenced for a felony charge. If you are charged with a crime, but not convicted or sentenced, you may vote even if you are in jail.
Contact the City Clerk's office at 269-966-3348 for directions on applying for an absentee ballot for the election you wish to vote in. If your sentencing prevents you from entering public school grounds and your precinct voting location is located in a school, please contact the City Clerk's office about voting absentee ballot.
Absentee Ballot Information Absentee ballots for any election can be obtained from the City Clerk's Office, and are generally available 45 days prior to the election. Registered voters are eligible to receive an absentee ballot if they:
- Expect to be absent from the City on Election Day;
- Are physically unable to attend the polls
- Are 60 years of age or older.
To obtain an Absentee Ballot, a registered voter must first complete an Absentee Voter Application. After filling out the application, return it to the City Clerk's office to be issued an absentee ballot. The voter can also submit a written request, indicating the name, address, a statutory reason why the voter is eligible to receive an absentee ballot, and an original signature.
(For the Presidential Primary election, the law requires that voters indicate in writing which political party ballot he or she wishes to vote.)
Absentee Voter Applications and Absentee Ballots can be obtained and returned in person or by mail.
The State of Michigan requires a voter who is receiving his or her own ballot in person at the Clerk's Office to present a valid photo ID or sign an affidavit. Valid forms of ID are the same as required at the polls on Election Day and include:
- Driver's license or personal identification card
- Federal or state government-issued photo identification
- US passport
- Military identification card with photo
- Student identification from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning with photo
- Tribal identification with photo
If a voter does not have a valid photo ID, the voter will be asked to sign an affidavit stating that he or she is not in possession of a valid ID. If the affidavit is signed, the voter will be issued a ballot.
State law does not allow one person to pick up a ballot for another person. If an individual returns an application for an absentee ballot on behalf of another, that ballot will be mailed to the voter.
When returning an absentee ballot by US Mail, please use the inside envelope provided and place Two First Class Postage Stamps on that envelope. Remember to sign the outside of your return envelope in the space indicated; your ballot will not be accepted without it!
NOTE: There are additional requirements for first time voters requesting to vote by Absentee Ballot.
ALL VOTERS: The last day to register to vote for any election is 30 days prior to that election.
For more information contact the City Clerk's Office at (269) 966-3348, or access the Secretary of State's Web site where you can view your sample ballot for the upcoming election, track the status of your absentee ballot and verify your voter registration information.
City Commission Candidates
| *************************************** | *************************************** ********************************* |
|---|---|
| DATE OF ELECTION: | Tuesday, November 7, 2017 |
| SEATS AVAILABLE: | Nine (9) City Commission Members - Five (5) Ward and Four (4) At-Large positions available |
| REQUIREMENTS: | At Large Candidate: Must be a registered elector in the City or any annexed area.
Ward Candidates: Must be a registered elector in the City or any annexed area and reside in the ward for which that person is a candidate.
|
| PETITION AVAILABILITY: | Monday, June 5, 2017 |
| PETITION FILING DEADLINE: (Petition & Affidavit of Identity)
|
Tuesday, July 25, 2017, 4:00 P.M. |
| PETITION SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS: |
Ward Candidates: Not less than 50 valid signatures nor more than 75 valid signatures of registered voters in the City.
At Large Candidates: Not less than 100 valid signatures nor more than 150 valid signatures of registered voters in the City.
*No elector shall sign petitions of more than the number of candidates for At-Large City Commissioner to be elected. No elector shall sign the petition of more than one Ward Commissioner, which petition must be for the ward where the signing elector resides.
|
| IMPORTANT REMINDERS AND INFORMATION: | A candidate must form a committee within 10 calendar days of accepting your first contribution or making an expenditure and then, within an additional 10 calendar days, you must register the committee by filing a Statement of Organization with the Calhoun County Clerk's Office. The "Statement of Organization" form can be found here More information on forming and registering a candidate committee can be found on the Michigan Bureau of Elections website Additional forms and filing information, including campaign finance information can be found here Potential candidates should note that, because the current City Commission approved moving city elections from odd to even years going forward, those elected this fall will serve three-year terms. Starting in 2020, terms will return to two years. |
Military and Overseas voters:
The Federal Voting Assistance Program works to ensure Service members, their eligible family members and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so - from anywhere in the world.You may use the Federal Post Card Application to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot. This form will allow you to receive an absentee ballot for all elections in the calendar year it was submitted. You can chose to have the ballot e-mailed to you or sent to you via regular mail. Submitting a VOTED ballot electronically, however, is not allowed.
Please contact our office at (269) 966-3348 or visit
if you have further questions.Important Dates to Remember:
| Date | Election | Last Day to Register to Vote (Before 5:00 p.m.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, May 8, 2018 | May Consolidated/School Election | April 9, 2018 |
| Tuesday, August 7, 2018 | State Primary Election | July 9, 2018 |
| Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | State General Election | October 9, 2018 |