By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org
In only a few days, the mid-term elections will be taking place which means many residents will be heading to the polls.
For those heading to the polls to vote in-person, Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic reminds them that the state went though a redistricting. Some residents’ precincts or voting locations might have changed for that reason. Residents should have received a new voter information card from their municipality earlier this year.
Voters should review their voter card to make sure they are heading to the right voting location, Kasunic said.
Voters can also find their voting location and a sample ballot at Michigan Voter Information Center.
Voting in Person
Voters do not need their voter card to vote. The resident must be registered to vote. If a voter has a photo ID, such as a state ID or driver’s license, he/she should bring it with him/her. Those who do not have such an ID will sign the affidavit on the back of the application to vote.
The election worker will verify your information matches the details in the e-pollbook. Once verified, the voter will be issues a ballot.
On the City of Wyoming’s website, it does state that residents should leave any political material at home. This would include political hats, shirts, masks, or brochures. These items are considered campaigning and it is illegal within 100 feet of the precinct location.
Poll locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on day of the election, Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Absentee Voting
It is past the time to get an absentee ballot in the mail. Residents may come to a city clerk’s office to get an absentee ballot. Registered voters have up until 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, to request an absentee ballot.
All absentee ballots must be returned to the person’s municipality by 8 p.m . Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Kasunic noted that those planning to mail their absentee ballot should have done so by Oct. 31. At this time, voters should hand-deliver their absentee ballot to the clerk’s office at the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, during regular business hours or use the 24-hour drop boxes located at city hall and the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 44th St. SE.
Wyoming residents can also hand-deliver an absentee ballot to the clerk’s office at Wyoming City Hall 155 28th St. SW., or use Wyoming’s 24-hour drop off box also located at city hall.
Residents can check on the status of their absentee ballot by visiting Michigan Voter Information Center.
Register to Vote
Due to the 2018 changes in voting, residents are able to register to vote up to and on the day of election. In order to vote in a Michigan election, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen
18-years-old when you vote
Be a resident of Michigan when you register
Be a resident of the city or township for at least 30 days when you vote
Not currently be serving a sentence in jail or prison.
Residents registering to vote must bring proof of residency
Those registering on the day of the election may either get an absentee ballot and vote at the clerk’s office or drive to their designated polling location to vote.
Only those residents registering to vote or changing their address may request and receive an absentee ballot on the day of election.
Both clerk offices will be open Saturday
Both the Wyoming and Kentwood clerk offices will be open this Saturday to help with voting and absentee ballots.
The Kentwood city clerk’s office will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 pm. Saturday. Otherwise the Kentwood clerk’s office is open 7:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays; and 7:30 a.m. to noon Fridays.
The Wyoming city clerk’s office also will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The regular hours for the Wyoming clerk’s office is 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday and closed on Friday.
Both clerk offices will be open until 8 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.
