Here’s what to know about absentee voting for the General Election

By Don Rush

The Primary Election is barely over and already area township clerks are gearing up for the Nov. 8 General Election. Not everybody will vote in person at their precinct. Some will opt to vote as an Absent Voter. We asked Oxford and Addison Township clerks the ins and outs of voting with absentee ballots. Thank you clerks Curtis Wright and Pauline Bennett for helping our readers out.

Q: When will ballots be ready to look at?

A: Ballots are to be delivered by Sept. 24, 2022.

Q: When can voters start voting by absentee ballot?

A: An Absent Voter Ballot Application must be completed and returned to the Clerk’s Office. Once confirmed, the voter will then receive a Ballot to vote as an Absent Voter.

Q: What are the dates folks should know about if they want to vote as an Absent Voter?

A: 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 is the deadline for electors to obtain an absent voter ballot by First Class mail; 5 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2022 is the deadline for electors to submit a written request to spoil their ballot and receive a new ballot by mail.

4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 is the deadline for electors to obtain an absent voter ballot in the Clerk’s office; 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 is the deadline for electors that have returned their absent voter ballot to submit a written request in person to spoil their ballot and receive a new ballot in the Clerk’s office; 4 p.m. Monday, No. 7, 2022 is the deadline for electors that have lost their absent voter ballot or have not received their ballot in the mail. They may submit a written request in person to spoil their ballot and receive a new ballot in the Clerk’s office.

8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 is the deadline for Election Day registrants to obtain an absent voter ballot in person in the Clerk’s office with proof of residency, or vote in person in their proper polling precinct.

Q: Is it called absentee ballot any more or just mail in?

A: It is called an Absent Voter Ballot.

To be eligible to register to vote you must be:

• A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
• A United States citizen
• At least 18 years of age (when you vote)
• Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

Proof of residency documents for voter registrants include:

• Michigan driver’s license or State ID card
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Paycheck or government check
• Other government document