LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Spring is starting to show up in Michigan, bringing us rain, flowers, leaves, singing birds and elections. On Tuesday, May 2nd, there will be elections held in 68 counties.
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This is a reminder to check out and see if you need to show up at the ballot box. You can click here and see if your county shows up on the list and if your community or school district is having an election. Some of the counties holding elections in different areas of Michigan include Allegan, Berrien, Calhoun, Charlevoix, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Ingham, Jackson, Manistee, Muskegon, Oceana, Van Buren and Wexford.
There are many school districts listed as having elections on Tuesday and bond proposals appear to be popular. Money from bonds is used for things like helping schools to upgrade technology, renovate buildings (infrastructure) and also enhance security. Bonds can’t be used for operational costs according to state law.
Even though Michigan school districts got over $6 billion in COVID-19 pandemic money, more is needed as the money was earmarked to be used for specific reasons like installing new heating and cooling systems.
There are 93 bond proposals that will be on the ballot on Tuesday and there are several school districts that are asking for pretty large bond sales including Grand Haven Area Public Schools ($155.8 million) for building and security upgrades and Saginaw Township Community Schools ($242.95 million).
You can check out your registration status at the Michigan Voter Information Center here. And you can look up what’s on your ballot here.
Polls open at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday and will close at 8:00 p.m. In-person voting will be available in every jurisdiction holding an election for voters who choose to do so.
The Secretary of State is also encouraging voters who already have an absentee ballot at home to fill it out and sign the back of the envelope. Voters should deliver it to their city or township clerk’s secure ballot drop box, or to the clerk’s office if possible, to avoid any U.S. Postal Service delays. Each jurisdiction in the state is now required to have a drop box available for voters to use. You have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to complete your ballot and return it to the clerk’s office or drop box. Your ballot will not be counted unless your signature is on the outside of the return envelope and matches your signature on file.
If you’re already registered at your current address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at your clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the election (May 1).
If you still have your absentee ballot and decide that you want to vote in person, you may do so by surrendering the ballot at your polling place. If you lost your absentee ballot or if it was destroyed, you may sign a statement affirming this and vote at the polls.
