Early voting begins Oct. 26 for the Nov. 5 general election
MONROE COUNTY — Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election begins Oct. 26.
Monroe County residents can cast their ballots in person for nine days before Election Day.
Annamarie Osment, Monroe County clerk and register of deeds, said just four percent of local voters voted early in August's primary election.
“We had a 20.38% turnout for all voting: 4% for early voting, 59% for absentee voting and 37% Election Day voting (remember it was a stormy day),” Osment said.
"(Early voting) is very slow, and (election workers) hope the word gets out so they are busier," Osment said.
She said many Monroe County voters are not aware of the early voting option, and she's hoping to change that. Here's what you need to know:
When did early voting become an option?
In November, 2022, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment that gives voters the right to vote early and in person at early voting sites for a minimum of nine days prior to state and federal elections.
"Communities may also choose to provide early voting for local elections. Local clerks in Monroe County have chosen to only offer the minimum of nine days for state and federal elections only," Osment said.
When and where is early voting available?
Monroe County residents can vote in person, in their own municipalities, from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3, including weekends.
All municipalities are offering early voting on those dates, but daily voting times vary. For dates, times and locations, see the chart or visit the clerk's website.
Do municipalities have to offer early voting?
Yes.
"Constitutional requirement is that every municipality has to participate, either on their own or with another jurisdiction," Osment said.
Local municipalities joining with another for early voting are: City of Petersburg and Summerfield Township; Raisinville, Dundee and Milan townships; Erie Township and City of Luna Pier; and London and Exeter townships.
What is the early voting process?
"Early voting allows voters to cast a ballot the same as how they would do so at a polling place on Election Day. Voters are issued a ballot and can personally insert it into the tabulator at their early voting site. These votes are cast, but not tallied, so there will not be any vote totals until after the polls close on Election Day," Osment said.
Can I vote my absentee ballot in person at early voting?
Yes.
Absentee voting allows voters to request a ballot by mail or in person at their local clerk’s office. Voters can complete their absentee ballot at home or at their local clerk’s office, and submit it in an envelope by mail in a prepaid stamped envelope provided, in person or by drop box for their jurisdiction.
"An absentee voter may also bring a voted absentee ballot on any of the nine days of early voting or on Election Day and insert the voted ballot in the tabulator," Osment said.
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Can I still register to vote for Nov. 5's election?
Yes.
Oct. 21 is the deadline to register to vote by mail or online.
If you're not registered to vote, you can do that online by going to michigan.gov/vote and clicking "Preregister or register to vote online."
Voters also can register to vote up to and including Election Day.
Osment encourages local residents to vote, whether it's on Election Day, during early voting or by absentee ballot.
"In August, 16,400 votes were cast in Monroe County, which is 20 percent of local registered voters," Osment said. "I encourage every eligible voter to exercise their right to vote. Monroe County clerks are diligently working to make certain everyone feels confident in our elections."
To learn more about early voting and Nov. 5's election, visit the clerk's website.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: County voters can cast ballots starting Oct. 26 for Nov. 5 election