Tuesday is Election Day: What you need to know

Krystal Nurse, Lansing State Journal
·4 min read
Election worker Sherron Johnson processes ballots at the Lansing City Clerk's Election Unit after the polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Lansing.
Election worker Sherron Johnson processes ballots at the Lansing City Clerk's Election Unit after the polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Lansing.

LANSING — Unsure of where to vote, who's running and what you can or can't wear for Tuesday's Primary Election? We've got you covered.

Lansing voters will narrow the number of candidates for three of four City Council seats that will be decided in November and several school districts that have borders touching Greater Lansing have ballot proposals up for decisions Tuesday.

To view your specific sample ballot and polling place, visit https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/.

What's on the ballot Tuesday?

Lansing voters will decide which candidates advance to November in two at-large city council seats as well as the Ward 1 seat on the eight-person council. Ward 3 candidates are not on the August primary ballot because there are only two candidates running.

Some voters in Eaton and Ionia counties will vote on a $39 million proposal for Lakewood Public Schools. Some voters in Ingham County will cast ballots for a $21.5 million proposal for Northwest Community Schools in Jackson and a $7 million proposal for Morrice Area Schools in Shiawassee County.

More: Lansing City Council primary: Where the candidates stand

Who's running in Lansing?

In Ward 1, incumbent Ryan Kost is being challenged by Michael VandeGuchte and D. (DeMarco) Taft. Two candidates will advance to the November election.

For the two at-large seats, voters will choose from Tamera Carter, Missy Lilje, Keshawn Mitchell-Roland, Trini Lopez Pehlivanoglu, Farhan Sheikh-Omar, Jody Washington and Nicklas Zande. Four candidates will advance to November's election.

One at-large candidate, Olivia Vaden, has unofficially withdrawn from the election, but her name will still appear on the ballot.

More: Candidates for Lansing City Council have felony convictions, unpaid restitution

When can I vote?

Polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Those who are in line at 8 p.m. are still allowed to vote.

A ballot drop off box outside City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Lansing.
A ballot drop off box outside City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Lansing.

I still have my absentee ballot. Where can I drop it?

Absentee ballots can be dropped off at the following drop boxes and any polling location in Lansing until 8 p.m. on Tuesday:

  • Lansing City Hall, 124 W. Michigan Ave.

  • Lansing Fire Station 1, 120 E Shiawassee St.

  • Letts Community Center, 1220 W. Kalamazoo St.

  • Mount Hope Cemetery Office, 1709 E. Mt. Hope Ave.

  • Elections Unit, 2500 S. Washington Ave.

  • Lansing Fire Station 8, 815 Marshall St.

  • Foster Community Center, 200 N. Foster St.

  • Lansing Fire Station 9, 520 Glendale Ave.

  • Lansing Fire Station 2, 2114 N. Grand Ave.

  • Gier Community Center, 2400 Hall St.,

  • CATA Headquarters, 4615 Tranter St.

  • Lansing Fire Station 6, 5135 Pleasant Grove Rd.

Can I still vote absentee?

Yes, if you act quickly. Applications for absentee ballots can be made in person until 4 p.m. Monday, according to the Michigan Secretary of State. After 4 p.m. Monday, you must vote in-person if you have not already obtained an absentee ballot.

Those who are registering and voting same day cannot make absentee ballot requests on Election Day.

I'm not registered, can I vote?

Yes. Unregistered voters can vote at the City Clerk's office on Election Day.

To register, visit the office by 8 p.m. Tuesday with proof of residency and citizenship, according to the Michigan Secretary of State. Acceptable documents include a Michigan driver's license or state ID, a current utility bill, bank statements, a paycheck or other government documents.

Are there changes to polling places?

Lansing residents who live in precincts 9, 12, 36 and 38 will vote in different locations. These precincts represent residents who live in the city's southside and downtown neighborhoods.

Residents in the affected areas should have received postcards in the mail notifying them of polling place changes.

Precincts 9 and 12 will vote at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 549 E. Mt Hope Ave.

Precinct 36 will vote at Bread House Church at 1518 S. Washington Ave.

Precinct 38 will vote at the Neighborhood Empowerment Center at 600 West Maple St.

Do I need my ID?

Bring your ID, such as a driver’s license or state identification card. If you forget your ID, you can still vote by signing an affidavit stating you are not in possession of a photo ID.

Election workers process ballots at the Lansing City Clerk's Election Unit after the polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Lansing.
Election workers process ballots at the Lansing City Clerk's Election Unit after the polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Lansing.

Watch what you wear

You cannot campaign within 100 feet of a poll, and you cannot wear clothing or apparel supporting a candidate, including buttons or stickers.

Where can I view results?

Unofficial results will be reported on LSJ.com. They will also be available on Ingham County Clerk's website at Clerk.Ingham.org for Ingham County elections and at EatonCounty.org for the Lakewood Public Schools proposal.

Encounter problems?

If you have any issues voting, working or volunteering on Election Day, let us know. You may also reach out to us in the LSJ newsroom with concerns and/or story ideas. Contact us by emailing metro@lsj.com or on Facebook Messenger.

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Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at 517-267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Tuesday is Election Day: What you need to know