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  • Tue. Nov 5th, 2024
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    Your guide to Election Day polls
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    Your guide to Election Day polls

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    It's Tuesday, November 5th. Election day is here.

    Millions of voters in Michigan have already cast their votes, whether by absentee ballot or early voting. But many more will go to the polls today to decide the presidential election, an open U.S. Senate seat and other elections. And if you're not registered to vote, you can register to vote today and cast your vote before the polls close.

    Here's more on what you need to know – how to vote, how to find your polling place, when the polls are open and more:

    When do polls open in Michigan?

    Polls in Michigan are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. If you're in line at 8 p.m., you're still allowed to vote.

    Where can I find my local polling station?

    You can find your voting precinct by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote. There you can enter your address and the site will show you your polling station.

    On election day, voting in person must take place at the polling station assigned to you. In larger cities and towns there are usually several polling stations. So make sure you get to the right polling station.

    What can I expect in the Michigan election?

    Once you have arrived at the polling stations, you will be asked to report to the poll workers on site. Election staff will provide you with a ballot or other voting option if additional accommodations are required.

    You will be asked to show photo ID in order to vote. If you don't have ID, you can still vote. You will be asked to sign an identity verification form.

    Here is a list of valid photo IDs, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's Office:

    • Michigan driver's license or state ID card (may be expired)
    • Driver's license or state ID card issued by another state
    • Photo ID issued by the federal, state or local government
    • US passport
    • Military photo ID
    • Photo ID from an educational institution
    • Tribal photo ID

    2024 Voter Guide: Key races, what's on the ballot in Michigan, more

    Can I still register to vote in Michigan on Election Day?

    Yes! In Michigan, you can register to vote at your local clerk's office with proof of residency until the polls close on Election Day. If you are unsure whether you are already registered to vote, you can check your registration status at michigan.gov/vote. You will also find the address of your local clerk's office there.

    First, make sure you are eligible to vote. To register to vote in Michigan, you must:

    • A US citizen
    • Be a resident of Michigan for at least 30 days at the time you vote
    • Be at least 17½ years old and 18 years old on election day
    • Is not currently serving any jail or prison sentence

    You must provide proof of residency within 14 days of an election (including on election day itself). This may include:

    • Your Michigan driver's license or state ID card
    • A current electricity bill
    • A bank statement
    • A paycheck or a government check
    • Another government document

    You can register to vote, request and return a mail-in ballot at your local office on Election Day itself.

    You can drop off your mail-in ballot at a mailbox or in the office until the polls close

    In Michigan, nearly two million voters had already returned mail-in ballots as of Monday. If you received a mail-in ballot but haven't returned it yet, you still have time to make sure your vote is counted.

    Absentee ballots can be returned to the local office, to a secure drop box, or by mail. However, on Election Day and within two weeks of the election, it is recommended that you drop off your absentee ballot either at your local elections office or at a drop box to avoid mail delays. Except in the city of Detroit, voters who received a mail-in ballot can also fill it out and bring it to the polling place to drop it off.

    Voters can submit their mail-in ballots to a drop box, their local office or, in communities other than Detroit, their precinct until the polls close at 8 p.m. To find a safe drop box location, go to the Michigan Voter Information Center in Michigan. Government/vote.

    What's on my ballot today?

    The presidential election between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican nominee for former President Donald Trump has consumed much of the general election cycle. But there are several other important races for Michiganders to decide.

    • An open seat in the US Senate: U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, and former congressman Mike Rogers, a Republican, are vying in Washington to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing.
    • Seats in the US House of Representatives are up for election: As is the case every two years, all of Michigan's 13 congressional seats are up for election. Some of them are expected to be particularly competitive, including in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, where Democrat Curtis Hertel and Republican Tom Barrett are vying to replace Slotkin in Congress.
    • The Michigan House of Representatives record: Just like in the U.S. House of Representatives, Michigan's House of Representatives seats are up for election every two years. Democrats currently hold a 56-54 edge in the chamber, but if Republicans are able to retake the state House of Representatives, Michigan would have split party control of the government since Democrats currently hold the state Senate and the governor's office.
    • Two seats on the Michigan Supreme Court in the non-partisan division: Two separate Michigan Supreme Court races will be decided on Tuesday. One for a partial four-year term between incumbent Judge Kyra Harris Bolden, who was supported by Democrats to serve out the remainder of her term, and Republican-nominated Branch County District Judge Patrick William O'Grady. The other Supreme Court race is for a full eight-year term between Democratic nominee Kimberly Ann Thomas and Republican Andrew Fink of Hillsdale. Democrats currently hold a 4-3 lead in Michigan Supreme Court justice nominees.
    • Also a variety of local races: Depending on where you live, you can also opt for local races. To see exactly what's on your ballot today, go to michigan.gov/vote and click “What's on the Ballot” under “Your Voter Information.”

    Contact Arpan Lobo: [email protected]

    Want to learn more about this year's elections in Michigan? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our election newsletter and share your thoughts in a letter to the editor at any time.

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