LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson outlined voting options for Michiganders in the upcoming November election.
Whitmer and Benson urged voters to request and cast their absentee ballots as soon as possible, and state legislators to pass laws to prevent delayed election results and voter disenfranchisement.
Michiganders can currently go online and request absentee ballots, or request an absentee ballot from their city clerk. Ballots will be sent to voters beginning Sept. 24.
Michigan citizens who are not registered and do not have a state ID or driver’s license can register at their local election clerk’s office.
“Already we’ve had three successful elections this year which saw record turnout, record numbers of citizens voting by mail, and little to no crowding on Election Day. We are on track to replicate this success in November,” said Benson. “Our clerks are doing their part, working tirelessly as they have all year to juggle unprecedented challenges while embracing record turnout. But they and voters need support from the federal government and our state legislature.”
Benson noted that while other states provide days for pre-processing of absentee ballots, Senate Bill 757, passed yesterday by the Michigan Senate would allow only a few more hours, and only limited pre-processing, which is not enough to make a significant difference.
Benson also pointed out that thousands of voters were disenfranchised in the August primary because their ballots arrived late or without a signature matching the one on their voter registration.
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