LANSING, Mich. — Michigan state government’s four highest elected officials held a joint press conference today to encourage citizens to make a plan to vote as soon as possible, and assure them that all valid ballots will be counted.
“In this election, voters will be able to cast their vote with confidence and know that their voice matters,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Everyone needs to make a plan. Schedule time in your day to fill out your ballot and take it in. If you don’t yet have an absentee ballot and would like one, whether you have requested it or not, you should go to your clerk’s office to request one, fill it out, sign the envelope and submit it.”
Registered voters can request an absentee ballot at their clerk’s office until 4 p.m. on Monday Nov. 2 or vote at their polling place on Nov. 3. Unregistered voters can register and request and absentee ballot at their clerk’s office until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
With less than a week until Election Day, voters should not rely on the United States Postal Service to deliver their absentee ballots, and should instead go in person to their clerk’s office or a ballot drop box in their jurisdiction. Voters can find their clerk office and drop box locations at Michigan.gov/Vote. They can also track their absentee ballot at the same site to ensure it is received. All absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, in an envelope with a signature that matches the voter’s signature on file with their clerk.
“In Michigan every valid absentee ballot will be counted as they always have been, by a pair of election workers – one from each major political party – trained to count together without political bias,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “Further, even after the counting is done, which could take until Friday in some jurisdictions, boards at the county and state levels, comprised of people from both parties, must then review the procedures and counts of the entire election, before the results can be certified as official.”
“I’ve been traveling across our state encouraging Michiganders to make a plan to vote early with an absentee ballot,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “If you do plan to go to the polls on Election Day, remember that voter intimidation of any kind is illegal, and everyone has the right to vote without fear of intimidation. Unregistered voters can register and vote at their clerk’s office, including during their clerk’s office hours this weekend. Election workers are required to wear masks, and all voters are strongly encouraged to do so.”
“Voting is a fundamental right and we will make sure every eligible person is able to fulfill that right without intimidation just like we have in every past election,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “This election – thanks to no-reason absentee voting – Michiganders have already turned out in record numbers to cast their ballot. But, we’re not done yet. If you haven’t voted, you can still do so by dropping off your absentee ballot at the clerk’s office or voting in person on Nov. 3. You can even visit your clerk’s office before Election Day, get a ballot and vote in person right then and there – just be sure to cancel your absentee ballot if you had requested one. All are safe and secure and guarantee that your voice will be heard in this year’s elections.”
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