Election Reminder!

Voter registration deadline nears for November 4 election

Michigan residents have until Monday, October 6 to register to vote in the November 4 election, announced Secretary of State Ruth Johnson. You can register by mail, in person at your local clerk’s office or at any Secretary of State office.

For more information, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/vote to determine if you are already registered, find your polling place and view a sample ballot.  You can also track your absentee ballot.

Election Day is Approaching - Are You Registered to Vote?

From the USA.Gov blog:

2014 is a mid-term election year. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are contested, as well as 36 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats. Gubernatorial elections will be held in 36 states and three territories, along with many state and local races.
Voting rules vary from state to state, but NOW is the time to make sure you are registered, your registration is up-to-date, and you’ve applied for an absentee ballot, if you need one.
Remember to:

• Find out if your state allows early voting
  

• Check your polling place and its hours
  
• Schedule assistance getting to the polls, should you need it
  
• See if your state requires official ID in order to vote
  

Also, you may want to consider volunteering by working the polls. Do you have kids? This is a great opportunity to educate them about democratic process and teach them about elections and voting. And of course, you want to research your candidates and make educated choices before you vote. This time of year can sometimes be tense, so remember that voter intimidation is illegal, and you should report it, if you feel you’re being intimidated.
Don’t be caught off-guard and unable to vote on election day, check and be sure you have everything you need to cast your ballot.

Read about this topic in Spanish.

What Happens Next in the Election Process

From the USA.gov Blog:

What Happens Next in the Election Process:
Voting has come and gone, and President Obama was declared the winner of the 2012 Presidential election.
But there’s still a lot of behind-the-scenes work that takes place before the election results are 100 percent official.
Here’s a look at what happens between now and the inauguration:

Between now and December 17:

The governors of all of the states must certify the election results, and provide copies of the Certificates of Ascertainment to the Archivist of the United States and your state’s electors.

December 17:

Electors meet in their state and cast their ballots for the President and Vice President. A copy of these votes is sent to the Vice President for the official count in Congress. The votes must be received by December 26.

January 6:

Congress meets in a joint session to officially count the electoral votes. As President of the Senate, the Vice President oversees the process and announces the final results.

January 20:

January 20 is the official day of the inauguration, however, this year because it falls on a Sunday, the public swearing in ceremony will be held on Monday, January 21, 2013.
Learn more about what happens between the election and the inauguration.

Election Day

Remember to vote!  Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.

Michigan Voter Information has information on where your polling place is and what will be on your ballot.

What is the Electoral College?

From the USA.gov Blog:

What is the Electoral College?: What is the Electoral College?:
The Electoral College is a process, not a place. The founding fathers established it in the Constitution as a compromise between election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens.

How to Research Candidates in the Upcoming Election

From the USA.gov Blog:

How to Research Candidates in the Upcoming Election:
In less than a month, people across the country will vote for the next president, as well as other state and local offices. If you want to vote, it’s important to make sure you are registered and know about your voting options, such as early voting and requesting an absentee ballot.
It’s just as important that you are familiar with the races on your local ballot so you can make informed decisions. Most state election sites have a list of candidates or a sample ballot. This can help you become familiar with who is running for office.

Check Voter Guides

If you want to learn more about the candidates’ views on topics that matter to you, then you might want to check the candidates’ websites or a voter guide. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, produces an online voter guide where you can find a sample ballot, candidates’ answers to specific questions, and links to the candidates’ websites.
There are many organizations that produce voter guides to encourage voting for certain candidates based on the priorities of the group, such as the environment or health care. These organizations may be able to help you find information about the candidates’ positions on issues that matter to you.
Many state and local organizations, such as newspapers, also produce voter guides. These can be a good way to find additional information about local issues of interest.
If you are unsure of where to look for information about a candidate or want to find a local voter guide, check with your local public library.

Research Voting History

If a candidate is currently in office or previously held office, then you can also view the person’s voting history. In order to do this, you need to know information about a piece of legislation the candidate voted on, such as bill name or number.
If the candidate served in Congress, you can find voting history by visiting Congress.gov and checking the Major Actions tab on a piece of legislation, such as Senate bill 3187. Here you’ll find links to Senate sites that contain a record of the vote on the bill.
If the candidate served in a state office, then try checking your state legislature’s website for similar information.
Some organizations may also add voting history on specific issues to their voter guides.

Don’t Forget Ballot Measures

In addition to voting for candidates, you may be presented with ballot measures, additional questions about issues impacting your state or local community.
Your state election site or sample ballot should also have information about any ballot measures that you will vote on in November. A state or local voter guide may also include details about the issue that can help you determine how to cast your vote.

How to Prepare for Election Day

From the USA.gov Blog:

How to Prepare for Election Day:
As the election approaches, it’s important to make sure you’re familiar with the voting procedures in your state.

Polling Place Location and Hours

Prepare for election day by confirming the location of your polling place and when it opens and closes. Check your state election website to find your polling location and hours.
Some states allow early voting. If your state offers this option, be sure to check the location. Your early voting polling location may be different than on election day.

Polling Place Accessibility

If you need special assistance, contact your local elections office for information, advice, and educational materials about voting equipment and details on access to the polling place, including designated parking.

Voter Identification (ID) Requirements

Some states require that you show identification in order to vote. Check your state election website for voter ID rules.

Provisional Ballots

If there are questions about your eligibility to vote because your name does not appear on the voter registration record or you do not have the required ID, federal law allows you to cast a provisional ballot. Individual states may allow you to cast a provisional ballot for other reasons.
Provisional ballots are reviewed after the election and counted if your eligibility can be verified.

Research the Candidates

Make sure you’re familiar with your voting options when you head to the polls. Learn more about how to research the various candidates in federal, state and local elections.

Track Fundraising and Spending in Federal Elections

Track Fundraising and Spending in Federal Elections:
Do you ever wonder how much money candidates spend to run in federal elections in the United States or where the money comes from?
The Federal Election Commission’s Campaign Finance Disclosure Portal provides access to the campaign finance data that candidates and their supporters must share by law. Use maps, charts, and other tools to learn about donations and expenditures in the Presidential and Congressional races.
For example, you can

• Search for individual contributors to Presidential candidates.
• Look at spending by state and Congressional district.
• See detailed reports on spending by Super PACs and other independent groups.
• Review individual and organizational donors to Super PACs.

5 Things You Should Know about the Elections

From the USA.gov Blog:

5 Things You Should Know about the Elections:
Voting is a right and a civic responsibility. And like millions of U.S. citizens, you will have the chance to exercise your right to vote during the Presidential Election of 2012.
Your vote on November 6, 2012 will help elect the next President of the United States, as well as other representatives at local, state and federal levels, including mayors, governors, congressional representatives and senators.
Below you will find five important facts about voting in the United States, including resources to help you register to vote and information on how to vote.

1) Voting Is Voluntary

Voting is the essence of democracy. Unlike other countries, voting in the United States is voluntary. Some people vote in person at the polls, while others vote by mail days or weeks before the actual election date. Regardless of how you do it, it’s important that all U.S. citizens who qualify participate in the democratic process of electing public officials.

2) States Establish Voting Rules

To vote in federal elections you need to be a U.S. citizen and be at least 18 years old, although some states allow 17-year-olds to vote. In fact, the states establish voting rules, including the requirements to register to vote, registration deadlines, and where to send your voting form. You may be able to register at a variety of places, including state and local voter registration offices, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and public assistance agencies. You might also be able to register by mail using the National Mail Voter Registration Form, but not all states accept it. Check with your state election office to learn how to register in your state.

3) Voter ID Laws Vary by State

Voter identification requirements also vary by state. Therefore, it’s important to figure out the documents you might need to show before going to your polling place on November 6, 2012. Some states require voters to show proof of identity before voting, such as driver’s licenses, passports or military papers. Your state election office can tell you what documents are required in your state.

4) You Can Vote If You’re Living Abroad

Federal law allows U.S. citizens to vote if they are living abroad. This includes members of the Armed Forces, federal employees, and other U.S. citizens who reside outside the United States. U.S citizens living abroad can request an absentee ballot by using the Federal Post Card Application (PDF). For more information about voting from abroad, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

5) There Are Several Ways to Participate in the Elections

Voting is not the only way to participate in the electoral process. If you would like to get more involved you can always volunteer at a polling place. Some states have specific requirements such as being a registered voter or meeting certain age requirements. You might have to be affiliated with a political party and reside in the state where you plan to volunteer. Check with your state election office to find out more.

Voting info from the Muskegon Chronicle

WEST MICHIGAN – With the voter registration deadline nearing, MLive and The Muskegon Chronicle put together information needed for area voters to register and vote whether in person or by absentee.
Registration
First-time voters and residents who have moved since last registering must register or update their address by Oct. 9. Registration and registered voter address updates can be made by mail, at the County Clerk's Office, city or township clerk and Secretary of State office.
A mail-in registration form is available at the Michigan Secretary of State website.
Residents can find information on their local clerk by using the State of Michigan's online Voter Information Center.
Michigan voters have to use the same residential address for voter registration and driver's license purposes. A driver's license address change will be applied to each resident's voter registration and a voter registration address change to their driver's license.
Residents can check their registration status and see their polling location, which has potentially changed since the 2008 presidential election, by contacting their city or township clerk or by visiting www.michigan.gov/vote.
Oct. 8 is a state and federal holiday and the Secretary of State's office will be closed. The County Clerk's Office, however, will be open.
Voting in-person
Polls for voting in person will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 6. Registered voters who are in line at 8 p.m. will be able to vote.
Poll workers will have access to databases to confirm that residents are casting their ballots in the correct location, but registered voters are encouraged to make sure they are heading to the correct polling place ahead of time.
Voters will be asked to produce photo identification at the polls. Accepted forms of identification include Michigan and other states' driver's licenses or state-issued ID cards, U.S. passports, photo military ID, photo student ID from high school or accredited institutions of higher learning and photo tribal identification cards.
However, if you do not possess photo ID you are still allowed to vote under Michigan law. Anyone who cannot produce photo ID can sign an affidavit stating, under the penalty of perjury, that they are not in possession of voter ID at the time. Anyone who signs the simple affidavit can vote and the vote will be counted with all others on election day.
Heavy turnout is expected for the election, with slightly shorter lines expected between 10 a.m. and noon and from 2 to 5 p.m. for residents who are able to vote during those times, county employees said.
Absentee voting
Muskegon County Election Coordinator Kimberly Grimm said those who qualify for absentee voting may want to consider doing so to avoid long lines and have plenty of time to read and fill out this year's long double-sided ballot.
Registered voters who meet one or more of six conditions may qualify for an absentee ballot:

• Age 60 years or older.
• Expecting to be out of town on election day.
• Unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons.
• In jail awaiting arraignment or trial.
• Unable to vote without assistance at the polls.
• Appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside the person's voting jurisdiction.

Absentee ballot applications can be found online or pre-printed at city or township clerk's offices. Requests to have an absentee ballot sent to residents must be received by 2 p.m. Nov. 3. Absentee voter ballots may be issued to a voter's home address or any address outside of their city or township of residence.

Voters who register to vote by mail must vote in person in the first election in which they participate. The restriction does not apply to overseas voters, voters who are handicapped or voters who are 60 years of age or older.

After receiving the absentee ballot, voters will have until 8 p.m. Nov. 6 to complete the ballot and return it to the clerk's office. The ballot will not be counted unless the voter's signature is on the return envelope and matches their signature on file. The signature of anyone who provides assistance voting the ballot must also be on the return envelope.
The ballot
Voters can fill out the partisan section of the ballot by voting a "straight," "split" or "mixed" ticket. A straight ticket will cast votes only for members of the party chosen. A split ticket allows voters to cast a straight-party vote but then select candidates from other parties in certain races. A mixed ticket allows voters to choose between the parties in each race as well as choose to not vote in certain races.
This year's ballot will be four pages total, taking up the front and back of two pieces of paper. The front of the first page will contain all partisan races. The back of the first page will contain nonpartisan races. Both sides of the second page will be only proposals.
The two pages will feature a larger font and more readable layout, but could potentially still take a considerable amount of time to fill out, Grimm said.

A straight or split ticket does not vote for the nonpartisan races or for the proposals. Voters should check both sides of both pages of the ballot, but are not required to vote in every race or on every proposal, Grimm said.
Behavior at and near polling locations
Anyone in line to vote or within 100 feet of a polling location entrance is not allowed to campaign for candidates or parties, whether by discussing the election or wearing or possessing election-related clothing or buttons or fliers, signs or stickers. Voters will be asked to cover or remove such clothing or material.
Criminal records and incarceration
A Michigan resident who served time in jail or prison is free to participate in elections as long as they have registered properly. A resident confined in jail awaiting arraignment or trial is eligible to register and vote. Anyone currently serving a sentence in jail or prison following a conviction is not allowed to register or vote.

Registering to Vote Instructions for Michigan

From the Red Tape Blog:

Registering to Vote Instructions for Michigan:
Election day is Tuesday November 6, 2012. There are two ways of voting, in-person and by absentee ballot. Here are the steps:



1. You have to register to vote in the place where you are a legal resident.  Under Michigan law, you are considered a resident of the place where you have a regular place of lodging—where you regularly sleep and keep most of your belongings.

2. Not sure if you are already registered? Check here: https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/ if Michigan isn’t your state, then I will help you find a similar website for another state.

3. Once you’ve decided on your address, register to vote in that local unit of government. If you have never voted in Michigan and want to register by mail, then you must appear in person to vote in the election (not absentee ballot) UNLESS you personally hand deliver the mail registration form to your county, city or township clerk's office instead of mailing the form. The deadline for registering is October 9, 2012. That is 3 weeks from today.


4. WHERE do you vote on election day? For Michigan, go to that same website to find out if you are registered: https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/ fill in your information and it will come back “Yes you are registered!” then will tell you where to vote.

5. You may vote by way of an absentee ballot if you expect to be out of town on election day. Get an absentee ballot sent to you:

a. Download your absent voter ballot application. (This is the Michigan form)

b. Send your absentee ballot request form to your local clerk by Saturday November 3rd though I strongly recommend you do it well before then.

c. Once the ballots are printed (early October, perhaps), they send you the absentee ballot, or if you delivered your application in person they will give you the absentee ballot on the spot and you can fill it out right then. It takes longer than you think it ought to though, so allow several minutes.

d. If you mail in your absentee ballot, make sure it is delivered to the clerk’s office prior to 8pm on election day.

The official Michigan Secretary of State Voter Information website is here: http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633_11619-123989--,00.html#5

Original post blogged on b2evolution.