Page 5 - Senior Times South Central Michigan July 2022 - 29-07

Senior Times - July 2022
Page 5
VOTING 2022 – FROM NEW DISTRICTS TO ABSENTEE VOTING
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
The new districts may confuse you, but take heart, there are a couple of ways that you can find out what’s new for you.
You can find out what is exactly on your upcoming ballot for August 2 at https://mvic.sos. state.mi.us/PublicBallot/Index. There you will be asked to enter details starting with the election you are inquiring about, your county, jurisdiction, and precinct. You will be choosing from drop down menus at each location to help guide you.
I invite you to be on the lookout for your new voter information card coming to you in the mail. It provides valuable information regarding new district numbers, as well as your polling location. This makes it easier for you to identify which individuals you may choose from to represent you. Reasons why you might not have received
a new card include not being registered or even having moved. Reach out to your clerk if you have not received one yet.
Requesting an Absent Voter Ballot – Voters may request an absent voter ballot or accessible voter ballot in a variety of ways. Voters can com- plete an online application, or submit an applica- tion, large print application, letter, or postcard to your local clerk. Find your local clerk at https:// mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk. Requests for absent voter ballots may be returned may be returned by hand, via postal mail, fax, or email, as long as a signature is visible.
After receiving your absent voter ballot, you have until 8pm 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 sig- nature 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 absent voter ballot to your clerk's office.
You can also check your voter registration online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index. There you will be able to check voter information specific to you, including if you are registered to vote, how to register if you are not, how to vote absentee, where your polling place is now, and so much more.
Requests to have an absent voter ballot mailed to you must be received by your clerk no later than 5pm the Friday before the election. 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 4pm on the day prior to the election, this ballot must be com- pleted at the clerk’s office. If you’re registering to vote or updating your address by appearing
at your clerk’s office on Election Day, you can request an absent voter ballot at the same time you register. If you request your AV ballot the day before the election or on Election Day, you must vote the ballot in the clerk's office.
If instead you prefer to vote in person, know that voters with disabilities who require assis- tance in casting a ballot may receive assistance from another person, provided that the person assisting the voter is not the voter's employer, agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of a union to which the voter belongs.
In our South Central readership area the fol- lowing new district numbers may be helpful.
State House
State Senate
Congress
Barry Branch Calhoun Eaton Jackson Kalamazoo
43,78,79 35 44,45 43,76,77,78 45,46,47,48 40,41,42,45
18 2
17 5 17,18 4,5 21 2,7
14,17 5 18,19 4,5
Once the local clerk receives your request, your signature on the request will be checked against your voter registration record before a ballot is issued. You must be a registered voter
to receive an absent voter ballot, but you can register and apply for an absent voter ballot at the same time. Requests for absent voter ballots are processed immediately. Absent voter ballots may be issued to you at your home address or any address outside of your city or township of residence.
If you or someone you know requires special access to the polls, it is important to call the clerk's office ahead of time to make sure your voting site is free of obstructions. If your precinct is not accessible, you will be directed to an alter- native site that is accessible. For more informa- tion, contact your local clerk.
All registered voters are eligible to vote by mail. Due to the passage of the statewide ballot proposal 18-3, all eligible and regis- tered voters in Michigan may now request an absent voter ballot without providing
a reason. Check your voter registration
at Michigan Voter Information Center Michigan.gov/Vote.
The Bureau of Elections now has an Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections to respond to and assist individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call (517) 335-2730 or email MODS-ADAVoting@Michigan.gov.
Vote August 2, 2022.
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