Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds, Anne Norlander, reminds Calhoun County residents that next Tuesday, Oct. 11, is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 8, general election.
“If you are not yet registered to vote in Michigan, I encourage you to do so right away,” says Norlander, the county’s chief election officer. “Voter participation is the foundation of our democracy.”
Persons entitled to be registered voters must possess the following qualifications on or before the day of the Election: 1) a citizen of the United States; 2) not less than 18 years of age; and 3) a resident of the State of Michigan and the local municipality for not less than 30 days prior to the Election (MCL 168.492). In addition, qualified electors must be registered to vote not less than 30 days prior to the Election (MCL 168.497).
Residents may register in person or by mail. The mail-in application is located on the County Clerk Web site at www.co.calhoun.mi.us. Voter registration can also be made at any Secretary of State Branch office or renewal by mail program; government agencies such as Dept. of Community Health, Dept. of Human Services, agencies serving disabled persons or Michigan Rehabilitation Service offices. First-time voters who register by mail must vote in person in their first election, unless they hand-deliver the application to their local clerk, are 60 years old or older, are disabled, or are eligible to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
To check their registration status, residents may visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.Michigan.gov/vote. Residents will be able to find information regarding: voting by absentee ballot, previewing their November Ballot, Michigan’s voter identification requirements, using voting equipment and contacting their local clerk. They will also find a map to their local polling place.
Voters who qualify may choose to cast an absentee ballot. As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee ballot if you are age 60 or older; physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another; expecting to be absent from the community in which you are registered for the entire time the polls will be open on Election Day; in jail awaiting arraignment or trial; unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons or will be working as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.
Those who wish to receive their absent ballot by mail must submit their application by 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. Absentee ballots can be obtained in person anytime through 4:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7. Voters who request an absent ballot in person on Monday, November 7th must complete the ballot in the clerk’s office. Emergency absentee ballots are available under certain conditions through 4 p.m. on Election Day.
Absent voter ballots must be obtained from your local clerk. For a complete list of all Calhoun County local clerks and their contact information check our web site www.co.calhoun.mi.us/election.taf !