Secretary Land Reminds You to Vote on August 3

Military, overseas voters can now receive ballot by e-mail, fax

LANSING, MI - Friday, July 23, 2010 - Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land encourages residents to cast ballots in the primary August 3. She also reminds military and overseas voters that new laws will help them get ballots more easily.

“By voting, residents have the chance to narrow the field for the November general election,” said Land, Michigan’s chief elections officer. “I encourage you to visit your local polling place on Election Day and vote to make your voice heard. If you are unable to attend the polls in person, there is still time to see if you qualify for an absentee ballot.”

Land reminds voters that since this is a primary election, ballots must be cast under one political party. Casting votes in a partisan primary for both Republican and Democratic candidates invalidates the partisan section of the primary ballot. Nonpartisan offices and proposals will appear after the partisan section of the ballot.

The polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM and will be busiest before and after work. Residents are reminded that avoiding peak times may help them vote more quickly.

Voters who need to have their absentee ballot mailed to them must apply for the ballot no later than 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 31.  Absentee ballots can be obtained in person anytime through 4:00 PM on Monday, August 2.  Voters who request an absentee ballot in person on Monday, August 2 must vote in the clerk's office.  Emergency absentee ballots are available under certain conditions through 4:00 PM on the date of the election.

Voters are reminded of the identification requirement. They will be asked to present photo ID 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 failed to bring it with them can still vote. They will sign a brief affidavit stating that they’re not in possession of a photo ID. Their ballots will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.

Residents who don’t have a Michigan driver’s license or identification card can show the following forms of photo ID as long as they are current:

• 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.

A specially equipped voting station called the AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal is also available at each polling location for use by voters with disabilities.

Land also asked that friends and family of military and overseas voters let them know that they can now more easily get a ballot for the 2010 elections.

Michigan is implementing federal and state laws that allow ballots to be sent to military and overseas voters by e-mail or fax. This helps to ensure that ballots are returned in time to be counted on Election Day.

The federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act was signed into law October 22, 2009 and goes into effect for the November general election. State bills ensuring Michigan’s conformation to federal law were signed into law earlier this year, requiring these changes in time for the August 3 primary, ahead of federal requirements.

Ballots can be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to military and overseas voters at the voter’s request. Voters then return the ballots by mail. Voters have been using this process successfully since the ballots were printed.

Voters eligible to receive a ballot by e-mail or fax include members of uniformed services, their spouses and dependents who are away from their city or township of residence. They may be located inside or outside the U.S. Civilian voters outside the U.S. who are eligible to vote in Michigan also qualify.

Qualified voters can determine whether their absentee ballots were received by the city or township clerk by checking with the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.Michigan.gov/vote.

The Web site also helps residents determine whether they’re registered to vote and where their polling place is located. To locate additional election information and to see a sample ballot, voters can visit the Secretary of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos or check with their county clerk’s office.