Registration Deadline Nears

LANSING, MI - Thursday, September 25, 2008 - Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land reminds residents that Monday, October 6 is the last day to register to vote for the November 4 general election.

"Michigan residents have an opportunity to be heard in this presidential election," said Land, the state's chief election officer. "If you are not yet registered to vote, I encourage you to sign up now. Your vote is your voice, and in this election, you have the opportunity to be heard at every level of government."

Ballots will include the presidential race, state House contests, local races and statewide and local proposals.

To register, people must be at least 18 years old by Election Day and be U.S. citizens. They must also be residents of Michigan and of the city or township in which they wish to register.

Voters may register in person or by mail. The mail-in form is on the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos . 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 age 60 or older, are disabled or are overseas.

To check their registration status, voters may visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.Michigan.gov/vote . Residents also will be able to find information on voting by absentee ballot, using voting equipment and contacting their local clerk. They can also find a map to their local polling place.

Voters who qualify may choose to cast an absentee ballot on Election Day. As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee ballot if you are:

  • age 60 or older unable to vote without assistance at the polls
  • expecting to be out of town on Election Day
  • in jail awaiting arraignment or trial
  • unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons
  • appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.

Those who wish to receive their absentee ballot by mail must submit their application by 2:00 PM Saturday, November 1. Emergency absentee ballots are available under certain conditions through 4:00 PM on Election Day.

Registered Michigan voters who have moved within 60 days of the election may still vote at their previous address if they did not register to vote at their new address by the close of registration for this election. This also applies to voters whose homes have been foreclosed upon. Voters in default on their mortgages but living in their homes may still vote without restriction.

Clerks are required to provide accessible polling places for all voters, including voters with disabilities. In addition, the AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal will be available at all polling locations to assist voters with disabilities in marking their ballots.

Residents are again reminded of the voter identification requirement on Election Day. They will be asked to present photo identification at the polls, such as a Michigan driver's license or identification card. Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID or is not carrying one can still vote. They will sign a brief form stating that they're not in possession of a photo ID. Their ballots will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.

Voters who don't have a Michigan driver's license or identification card can show the following forms of photo ID:

  • Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
  • Federal or state government-issued photo identification
  • U.S. passport Military identification card with photo
  • Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, such as a college or university
  • Tribal identification card with photo.

STATEWIDE PROPOSALS - There are two Statewide ballot proposals that have been approved for the November 4th General Election. They are:

COALITION FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE: Initiative petition approved as to form June 6, 2007; signatures filed November 20, 2007; petition determined sufficient March 3, 2008; proposal language certified to State Legislature March 3, 2008; 40-day consideration period reserved for State Legislature elapsed April 12, 2008.

Purpose: Legislative initiative to allow under state law the medical use of marihuana.

Contact: Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, P.O. Box 20489, Ferndale, Michigan 48220. Dianne Byrum (517) 333-1606.

STEM CELL RESEARCH: Initiative petition approved as to form February 4, 2008; signatures filed July 7, 2008; petition determined sufficient August 21, 2008.

Purpose: Proposed constitutional amendment to permit with certain limitations stem cell research in Michigan.

Contact: Stem Cell Research BQC, P.O. Box 20216, Lansing, Michigan 48901. Mark Burton (517) 974-4004.

Additional information is available on the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos .