ELECTIONS
If you're not registered to vote, you are missing out on a great national privilege and a significant personal freedom.
On this page you can find information on the following election issues
VOTING REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Who may register to vote and what are the requirements?
- You must be a United States citizen
- At least 18 years of age on or before election day
- A resident of Michigan
When can I register to vote and where can I register to vote?
You can register to vote at any time, however, you must be registered at least 30 days before an election in order to vote in that election. You can register to vote by appearing in person at any Secretary of State branch offices located in Michigan, by contacting your city or township clerk, at any Department of Human Services agency or specified agencies providing this service through DHS, Department of Community Health or Michigan Job Commission that offer registration services to their clients.
Do I have to register for each election?
No. Registration is permanent as long as you continue to live in the city or township where you are registered.
May I register to vote by mail?
Yes; however, if you have never voted before or have never voted in Michigan and you choose to register by mail, you must vote in person the first time voting in Michigan.
What should I do if I have moved from the resident where I am registered to vote or if my name has changed since the last election?
You should immediately contact the clerk of your city or township of residence to change your name and re-register if you have moved to a new city or township.
ABSENTEE VOTING INFORMATION
Can I vote by Absentee Ballot? If you are a registered voter, you may vote by absentee ballot if you:
- Are 60 years of age or older
- Expect to be absent from the community in which you are registered to vote for the entire time the polls are open on election day
- Are unable to go to the polls and vote without the assistance of another person
- Cannot attend the polls because of your religious beliefs
- Have been appointed as an election inspector in a precinct other than the one in which you reside
- Are confined in jail or prison awaiting arraignment or trial
How do I receive an Absent Voter Ballot?
By writing to the clerk of the city or township in which you are registered to vote. Ballots cannot be supplied through telephone requests. Your written request must include:
- Your name
- The date of the election
- The address where you are registered to vote
- The reason why you are requesting an absent voter ballot
- The address where you wish to receive your ballot. (This must be your registration address, an address outside of your jurisdiction or registration, a hospital, or some other type of residential institution).
- Your signature and the date of your request
Blank absent voter ballot applications can be obtained through your city or township clerk. Members of the armed forces and their spouses and dependents, members of the Merchant Marine and their spouses and dependents, and U.S. citizens temporarily living or traveling outside the territorial limits of the United States may use a Federal Post Card Application to obtain an absent voter ballot. U.S. citizens temporarily living or traveling outside of the territorial limits of the United States must sign the Federal Post Card application under oath to obtain an absent voter ballot. Anyone else eligible to use the federal form is not required to sign it under oath to obtain an absent voter ballot.
When must the ballot be returned?
Your completed absent voter ballot must be received by your city or township clerk's office no later than 8:00 p.m. on election day.
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VOTING PROCEDURES
Where do I vote?
See Polling Locations below
If you are still not sure where your polling location is at, please feel free to contact the Ionia County Clerk's Office at 616.527.5322
When are the Polls open?
In Michigan the polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
What is the voting procedure?
Upon entering the polling location, you will
- Complete and sign an Application to Vote
- The information on your application will be verified to the information that is listed for you on the precinct list;
- You will have to show a picture ID (Michigan Driver's License, personal identification card, passport, military or school ID). If you do not have photo identification, you will be required to complete an affidavit
- You will be issued a ballot that will be located inside a secrecy sleeve
- You will be directed to the marking station to mark your ballot
- You will insert your ballot into the electronic tabulator. You have voted!
Procedures vary according to the type of equipment used in your city or township. Poll workers will provide information on voting procedures if you request it before you enter the voting station. Poll workers are not allowed to tell you how to vote, nor may they attempt to influence your vote in any way.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY NAME DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE LIST OF REGISTERED VOTERS AT MY POLLING PLACE?
Answer any questions the election inspectors may ask in attempting to confirm your registration, and contact your city or township clerk.
MAY I RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WHEN VOTING?
Any elector may request voting assistance from the precinct board without stating a reason, in which case two inspectors (one from each political party), will render assistance. If you need assistance because you are blind, disabled or unable to read or write, you may ask anyone (except your employer, an agent of your employer or an officer or agent of your union) to give you assistance.
MAY I TAKE CAMPAIGN LITERATURE INTO THE POLLING PLACE?
Yes, as long as the articles are for your personal use only and you do not distribute or display them to other voters in the polling place. In addition, you may not leave any materials in the polling place.
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ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION?
Yes! A primary election is held by the political parties to select their nominees for the officers to be elected at the upcoming general election. In a primary, Republican run against Republicans and Democrats run against other Democrats. Of course, if other parties qualify to appear on the primary ballot, their candidates run against each other as well. In a primary you vote on only one party's ticket.
A general election is between party nominees and any candidates without political party affiliation, the general election determines which candidates will occupy the office that is up for election. Statewide ballot proposals also appear on the general election ballot.
IS CAMPAIGNING ALLOWED ON ELECTION DAY?
Yes! As long as it is done at least 100 feet from any door used by voters to enter or exit the building in which the polls are located.
POLLING LOCATIONS:
Berlin Township, Precinct 1 - ISD, Harwood Road, Ionia
Boston Township, Precinct 1 -
Boston Township, Precinct 2 -
Boston Township, Precinct 3 -
Campbell Township, Precinct 1 - Clarksville Township Hall, 331 S. Main St., Clarksville
Danby Township, Precinct 1 - Danby Township Hall, 13122 Charlotte Hwy., Sunfield
Easton Township, Precinct 1 & 2 - Easton Township Hall, 720 N. Bellamy Rd., Ionia
Ionia Township, Precinct 1 - Ionia Township Hall, 1042 E. Washington St., Ionia
Keene Township, Precinct 1 - Keene Township Hall, 8505 Potters Road, Saranac
Lyons Township, Precinct 1 - Lyons Township Hall, 106 Prairie St., Lyons
Lyons Township, Precinct 2 -
Lyons Township, Precinct 3 - Muir Village Office
North Plains Township, Precinct 1 - Hubbardston Fire Station, 126 N Washington Street, Hubbardston
Odessa Township, Precinct 1 & 2 - Odessa Township Hall, 3862 Laurel Drive, Lake Odessa
Orange Township, Precinct 1 -
Orleans Township, Precinct 1 - Orleans Township Hall, 3077 Palmer Rd., Orleans
Otisco Township, Precinct 1 - Otisco Township Hall, 9663 Button Road, Belding
Portland Township, Precinct 1 - Westwood Elementary School, 883 Cross St., Portland
Ronald Township, Precinct 1 - Ronald Township Hall, 4987 Stage Rd.. (Charles Rd. Intersection)
Sebewa Township, Precinct 1 - Sebewa Township Hall, 2975 Bippley Rd., Portland
City of Belding, Precinct 1 - Ellis Elementary School, Ellis Avenue, Belding
City of Belding, Precinct 2 - Woodview Elementary School, Orchard St., Belding
City of Belding, Precinct 3 - Belrockton, Main St., Belding
City of Ionia, Wards I, II, III & IV - Watt Auditorium, Ionia Middle School, Union St., Ionia
City of Portland, Precincts 1 & 2 - Portland City Hall, Kent St., Portland.
To learn more about voting or to get voting information, follow the link below:
