Make a plan to vote

Read the full article on the Alpena News website here.

As the leaders of two nonpartisan organizations that have a rich history of pro-voter education and advocacy, we fervently believe that our democracy is at its best when all voices are heard.

And, while we know election season often comes with a lot of strong emotions and, quite frankly, a lot of divisiveness, one thing we can hopefully all agree on is that voting should be safe, accessible, and easy for everyone.

Here in Michigan, Promote the Vote and its diverse, 13-member coalition — which includes the Michigan League for Public Policy — have been working hard to ensure that Michigan’s voting system works for all Michiganders. We are so proud of what Promote the Vote has been able to accomplish since its work began in 2018, including helping military and overseas voters make their voices heard and making no-reason absentee voting, same-day voter registration, and early voting a reality for Michiganders.

With the Aug. 6 state primary election just around the corner, we want to remind Michigan voters of some key things to keep in mind so that those who have yet to vote are aware of the different options they have for casting their ballots on or before Election Day:

∫ Early in-person voting: Michigan voters now have the right to cast a ballot early and in person at an early voting site prior to all statewide and federal elections. Early voting must be offered for at least nine consecutive days, which, for this election, began last Saturday, July 27, and will end on Sunday. Early voting locations must be open for at least eight hours a day. Voters can find their early voting location at https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/early-in-person-voting.

∫ No-reason absentee voting: Since Election Day is less than a week away, it is recommended that voters request and drop off absentee ballots in person at their local clerk’s office to avoid postal delays. Absentee ballots can also be dropped off at designated ballot drop boxes in a voter’s community. Absentee ballots must be received by a voter’s local clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

∫ Voting on Election Day: Voters who plan to vote on Election Day can visit michigan.gov/vote to find their polling location ahead of voting. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and, as long as voters are in line by 8 p.m., their polling location must remain open for them to vote.

∫ Same-day voter registration: Eligible Michigan residents can register and vote in person at their local clerk’s office with proof of residency by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

No matter how voters plan to cast their ballot, being informed is key.

In addition to being informed about the candidates on the ballot, the bottom or back of the ballot may include local proposals that will have an impact on a voter’s community, whether that be local funding proposals for schools, libraries, transportation, public safety, infrastructure, or other local services.

To learn more about what’s on their ballot, voters can visit michigan.gov/vote or view the nonpartisan voter guides from the League of Women Voters of Michigan at https://www.vote411.org/lwvmi.

Voting is an essential part of the policymaking process, and that is why the League’s analysts have also, once again, developed a set of questions voters can ask when they talk with their candidates: https://mlpp.org/ask-your-candidates/.

The questions are based on the League’s issue areas, including things like taxes and revenue, health care, addressing poverty, jobs and the economy, immigration, and more.

We also recommend visiting www.michiganvoting.org to find other voting resources, and voters are reminded that they can call 866-OUR-VOTE to speak with trained volunteers regarding any election-related questions before or on Election Day.

As another election approaches here in Michigan, we are feeling invigorated to, once again, be a part of democracy in action, and we encourage voters to be a part of it, too, by exercising their right to vote in the way that works best for them!

Micheal Davis Jr. is executive director of Promote the Vote. Monique Stanton is president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy.