Michigan utilities workers helping with Sandy East Coast cleanup may not be able to vote

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (WXYZ) - Michigan utility workers who headed east to help Superstorm Sandy victims may not get to vote in the 2012 presidential election.

"Their vote should be counted somehow, some way" says Liz Skotzke who is worried that her husband Frank won't get to vote.

That's because Frank is a contract lineman for DTE Energy who was called to the East Coast. Frank is helping to cleanup and restore power after Superstorm Sandy blew through several states causing massive outages.

Liz says her husband is not near a post office nor does he have internet access so receiving an emergency absentee ballot isn't an option. The application would need to be returned to the St. Clair Shores clerk's office by Saturday at 2 p.m.

It is a situation no one could have predicted. At least 100 workers from Michigan and hundreds more from other states might note get to vote in the presidential election and as a union member, it's important to Frank Skotzke, says his wife.

7 Action News called the Secretary of State's Office. They are looking for a solution, but it may be too late. Liz says it is sad that her husband Frank and maybe hundreds of others who answered the call won't be counted on this election day.