Election Day Frequently Asked Questions
(Please click on question for answer)
- Who may register to vote?
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A U.S. Citizen
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At least *18 years old by Election Day
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A resident of Michigan for six months and a resident of the City for 30 days prior to the election.
- If a teenager is 17 before the close of registration, however, will turn 18 by Election Day, they are eligible to register.
To register, you must be:
- When may you register to vote?
You must be registered at least 30 days before an election in order to vote in it. This gives the clerk time to process your registration and mail you a voter I.D. (Note: The deadline for the November 4, 2008 General Election is Monday, October 6, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.)
- Where do you register to vote?
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Any of the Secretary of State branch offices located throughout Michigan.
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Any County, City or Township Clerk’s Office in the State.
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Any Department of Human Services (DHS) Office.
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Specified agencies providing service through the DHS, Department of Community Health, or Michigan Jobs Commission that offer voter registration services to their clients.
You may complete a Voter Registration form at:
Note: There are also groups who do voter registration drives however, you must rely on these groups to deliver your voter registration to one of the offices listed above before the close of registration.
- May you register to vote by mail?
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You personally hand deliver the mail-in registration form to your county, city or township clerk’s office instead of mailing the form;
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You are 60 years of age or more;
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You are disabled; or
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You are eligible to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
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Accurately enter his or her state-issued driver’s license number or personal I.D. number where requested on the mail-in voter registration form; or
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Send one of the following forms of identification when mailing the mail-in voter registration form to his or her county clerk; a copy of any current and valid photo identification (such as a driver’s license or personal I.D. card) or a copy of a paycheck, government check, utility bill, bank statement, or a government document that lists his or her name and address.)
YES. However, individuals who register by mail to vote, and have never voted in Michigan, must vote in person to vote the first election in which you wish to participate. This requirement does not apply if
If you have never voted in Michigan and register by mail, you may also be subject to identification requirements provided under federal law. To comply with the identification requirement, the voter must
- 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.* If you move you must register again.
*If at any time, the City Clerk sends you a voter registration card and it is returned for wrong address, your voter status is changed to “verify.” After the voter’s status is changed to “verify” the voter’s registration will be cancelled automatically after two general elections pass. However if the voter comes to the polls to vote during that time, the poll worker will ask them to complete a new voter registration or change of address card. This new information will remove the voter from cancellation status.
- Are there people who think they are registered, but are not?
YES. Some organizations which hold voter registration drives, often do not take the time to make sure the voter registration has been fully completed. The City Clerk’s Office does not accept incomplete registrations from these groups. Sometimes these groups do not deliver the registrations to a clerk’s office before the close of registration.
If a voter has any doubt as to whether they are registered to vote, they should call the City Clerk’s Office at (989) 759-1480 or access the State of Michigan’s website at www.michigan.gov/vote. Voters are urged not to wait until Election Day to obtain this information.
- What if I have changed my address?
Many people do not know that their driver’s license regulates where they are registered to vote. If a voter changes their address at the Secretary of State office, their voter registration is automatically updated.
If a voter moves to another address within the City and fails to submit an address change prior to the election, the voter can vote one last time in the precinct he is registered and then completes a change of address form at the precinct. However, if a voter moves to a different City or Township, and fails to change their address, they are only allowed to vote at the precinct they are registered, if the move was made 60 days prior to an election.
- What if I have changed my name?
If you need to change your name on your driver’s license or personal I.D., you must go to a Secretary of State branch office to process the correction. Present your valid driver’s license or personal I.D. card and proof of the name change. (Certified marriage license, divorce decree, or a legal name-change document). A fee is charged to correct your name and a new photograph will be taken. If your driver’s license is due to expire, you may choose to renew your driver’s license early. Once you make this change at a Secretary of State branch office, your voter registration is automatically updated.
- Once you are registered, how do you know where to vote?
After you register to vote, you will receive a voter registration card in the mail shortly thereafter, which indicates your precinct and polling location. Any time there is a change in your voter registration or your precinct or polling location, the voter is mailed a new voter registration card.
PLEASE NOTE: In June 2008, thousands of new voter registration cards were mailed to voters due to precinct changes. If you received a new voter registration card, please review the card for any changes. Your polling location may have changed.
If a voter has any doubt as to where they vote, they should call the City Clerk’s Office at (989) 759-1480 or access the State of Michigan’s website at www.michigan.gov/vote. Voters are urged not to wait until Election Day to obtain this information.
- When do I vote?
On Election Day, Michigan’s polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- How do I vote?
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You sign an application to vote.
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You show a picture ID or sign an affidavit attesting that you do not have one with you.
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An election inspector makes sure your name is on the list of registered voters for the precinct.
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You are issued a ballot and directed to the voting booth.
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You vote. (Note: Instructions on how to vote and mark your ballot are written at the top of the ballot. Each section on the ballot states how many candidates you may choose in each section. Be sure not to vote for more than allowed.)
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You place the ballot in a secrecy sleeve.
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You give your application to the poll worker who checks your ballot number and tears off the stub.
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You place your ballot into the tabulator.
The procedure for voting is as follows:
Note: It is also important that voters know how to mark the ballot correctly. If you vote for more candidates than what is allowed in a certain office, this causes the ballot to be rejected and the voter has to step back in line and be issued another ballot.
There are hundreds of ballots spoiled in every election, which really holds up the processing line.
Voters should know that although it is encouraged, it is not necessary to vote on everything on the ballot.
In August, a voter could not split their party selection. In this election, a voter could vote a straight party ticket, and still vote for a candidate in an office for another political party.
- Can I vote by absentee ballot?
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You are 60 years of age or older
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You 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
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You are physically unable to attend the polls and vote without assistance from another person.
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You are appointed as a precinct worker in a precinct other than where the one you are registered
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You cannot attend the polls because of your religion
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Or you are confined in jail and awaiting arraignment or trial
YES, if you are a registered voter, you may vote absentee if any of the following apply:
Call the City Clerk’s Office at (989) 759-1480 Monday-Friday 8:00-4:00 p.m. and request an absent voter ballot application. The Clerk’s Office keeps the application on file until they receive the ballots and then the ballot is mailed to the applicant.
NOTE: Those voters who are 60 years or older or who are physically unable to attend the polls and vote without assistance from another person, may request to be placed on the “permanent” absent voter list. The City Clerk’s Office will send the voter a form to complete and then every election thereafter, an application will automatically be sent to the voter.
Although we do not want to discourage anyone from voting at the polls, since a record voter-turnout is predicted for this election, voters who qualify to vote by absentee ballot should do so to avoid having to stand in long lines.
- Is there a deadline for voting by absentee ballot?
The following deadlines apply to vote by absentee ballot for the November 4, 2008 General Election:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008 (2:00 P.M.) – Deadline for qualified electors who wish to receive an absent voter ballot by mail to submit an application. (Note: The City Clerk’s Office will be open this day from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2008 (4:00 P.M.) – Deadline for qualified electors to obtain an absent voter ballot and vote in person in the clerk’s office.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008 (4:00 P.M.) – Deadline for emergency absentee voting for election.
- Does a person need to have a photo ID to vote?
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Michigan Driver’s License
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Personal I.D. issue by the State of Michigan or another state
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Federal or State government-issued photo I.D.
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U.S. passport
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Student I.D. with photo issued from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education
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Military photo I.D.
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Tribal card with photo.
YES. The State of Michigan Voter I.D. requirement requires all voters to show photo I.D. at the time they fill out an application to vote. The following forms of photo I.D. are acceptable:
If the voter does not bring their photo I.D. or does not have one, they can fill out an affidavit at the poll and vote. Voters are encouraged to bring their photo I.D. with them because it does hold up the line if they have to fill out the Affidavit.
- May I receive assistance when I vote?
YES. Without stating a reason, any voter may request voting assistance from the precinct board. Two election workers – one from each political party – will render assistance. If you are unable to read or write, you may ask anyone (except your employer, an agent of your employer, or any officer or agent of your union) to assist you.
- Can a person vote who is incarcerated or has a felony record?
If an individual is in jail awaiting sentencing they can vote. If a person is serving a sentence, they are not eligible to vote. If a person has been convicted of a felony and has served their time, they are eligible to vote, even if they are on probation.
- What offices and issues will be on the ballot?
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U.S. President/Vice President
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U.S. Senator
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Representatives in Congress
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State Representatives
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Members of the State Board of Education
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Regents of the University of Michigan
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Trustees of Michigan State University
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Governors of Wayne State University
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County Offices (Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Public Works Commissioner and County Commissioners)
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Justice of the Supreme Court
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Judge of the Court of Appeals
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10th Circuit Court Judge
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70th District Court Judges (Division 1 and 2 and Probate Court Judge-Juvenile Division)
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Delta College Board of Trustees
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A Legislative Initiative to Permit the Use and Cultivation of Marijuana for Specified Medical Conditions.
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A Proposal to Amend the State Constitution to Address Human Embryo and Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in Michigan.
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Saginaw County Health Care Millage
The following is a list of offices and issues which will appear on the November 4, 2008 Ballot in the City of Saginaw:
Partisan Offices
Non-Partisan Offices
State Proposals
County Proposal
(Note: Full Text of all proposals are available at: http://www.saginawcounty.com/clerk/elections.)
- Is there a way you can prepare in advance to vote?
Once the ballots are received by the City Clerk’s Office, voters can obtain a copy of a sample ballot by stopping in the City Clerk’s Office; however, Clerk’s Office staff and election workers, are not allowed to speak about candidates or issues on the ballot. That’s why it is very important for voters to do their homework and know the candidates and issues prior to coming to the poll on Election Day.
- May you take campaign literature into the polling place to assist you in voting?
Voters are allowed to take a copy of the ballot, campaign literature or some type of cheat sheet into the polling place for personal use only. You must not distribute or display it to other voters, and you must not leave any materials in the polling place.
- Is there campaigning allowed on Election Day?
YES. Campaigning is allowed as long as it is done at least 100 feet away from any door used by voters to enter or exit the polling location.
- May I wear campaign buttons and t-shirts in the polling place?
- Are people allowed to survey voters after they have voted?
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Remain at least 20 feet from the entrance of the building;
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Not enter the building; and
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Not question voters entering the building.
YES. Exit pollsters are persons employed to survey voters after they have voted. Exit pollsters must:
- Is the use of video cameras, cell phones, cameras, television and recording equipment allowed at the polls?
The use of video cameras (including cell phone video cameras), cameras and recording devices by voters, challengers and poll watchers is prohibited in the polls during the hours the polls are open for voting.
Broadcast stations and news media representatives may be permitted to briefly film from the public area of the polling room. In no case can personnel working for broadcast stations or the news media set up a camera in the voting area of the polling room. If the public area is too small to accommodate the film crew without interfering with the voting process, the film crew must film from the entryway to the polling room.
News reporters are not permitted to interview voters inside the polling place.
The use of cell phones by voters who have entered a voting station to vote is prohibited.
- What is the role of a Challenger?
A Challenger must be a registered in the State of Michigan. Challengers are appointed by political parties and qualified interest groups to observe the election process. Only two challengers from each party or interest group are allowed in a voting precinct at any given time, and only one of them has the authority to challenge. They must carry a challenger card issued by the appointing party or interest group. They must conduct themselves in an orderly manner and can be removed from the precinct for obstructing or delaying the process or touching any of the voting material or equipment. A challenger may challenge a person’s voting rights only if he or she has good reason to believe that the voter is not registered. Challenges are based on jurisdiction, age, citizenship, or not registering before the close of registration. A challenger cannot challenge on “impression”, they must have obtained the information through a reliable source or means. They also cannot challenge on physical or mental disability. A challenger can challenge if any election procedure is not being properly preformed. They may not touch the Poll Book or other records.
- What is the role of a Poll Watcher?
An election is an open process that may be observed by any interested person. Poll watchers do not have to be a registered voter of this state. Poll watchers must remain in the public area of the polling place. They may inspect the Poll Book only at the discretion of the polling place chairperson. They may not touch the Poll Book or other records.
- Are election workers needed? How do I become an election worker?
The City always needs competent, reliable workers for the polls. If you want to be an election worker, you should go to the City Clerk’s Office (1315 S. Washington, Saginaw, Michigan, Room 102) and ask for an Election Inspector application. Once the application has been filled out there is a skills test that will take 20-60 minutes. If you pass the test, you are eligible to work as an Election Inspector.
Election Inspectors in the City of Saginaw are paid $115, which includes one mandatory training session and the full Election Day (6 a.m. until polls close, books are completed and polling location returned to original order.).
The City Clerk’s Office will try to accommodate your request for a polling location, however, Election law requires that each polling location have as close as possible an even amount of Democratic and Republican workers at each location. As a result, you may not be placed at your preferred location. (Note: The City of Saginaw has always had some difficulties in getting Republican applicants. In particular Republican workers are greatly needed.