We’re just about a month away from Election Day — and votes are already being cast across the state.
Voters have three ways to cast their ballots this cycle — absentee voting, Election Day voting and early in-person voting, which is a recent addition to Michigan voting options.
Those looking to vote from home can request an absentee ballot in the mail and receive it in the coming days.
“They can return that by mail, or they can actually take and tabulate that ballot, either at an early vote site or at their local township on Election Day,” said Suzy Kanine, Emmet County clerk.
Absentee ballots can be returned by mail or in person, though clerks suggest they be returned in person within two weeks of Election Day.
Clerks also ask that you make sure you’re dropping your ballot in the right jurisdiction to simplify the counting process.
Absentee votes aren’t made public until Election Day, but clerks may request to pre-process their ballots in the week before Election Day.
All clerks are allowed to begin pre-processing the day before the election — but it’s up to each clerk’s office if they want to pre-process at all.
Election inspectors from both parties are required to view any processing or tabulation of absentee ballots.
In-person early voting options can vary by area, but all voters will have access from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3.
Some municipalities pool their resources into combined early voting sites, and others operate beyond the required nine days.
“When you vote early, it’ll be exactly like voting on election day, you’ll be putting your ballot through the tabulator,” said Bonnie Scheele, Grand Traverse County clerk.
Early votes won’t be counted until election day and remain secret until then.
Also, keep in mind that your early voting site may be different from your election day polling place.
Election Day voting is exactly what you’d expect - polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will follow standard voting procedure. Voters are able to register to vote in-person through Election Day, and will receive a ballot that same day.
County clerks will hold a public accuracy test of election equipment at least once before election day.
“That’s where the clerks, the local clerks, put their the machine through some rigorous testing to to make sure everything is counted correctly,” Scheele said.
Information on those tests can be found on your county clerk’s website.
Clerks suggest those voting in person to view their sample ballot ahead of time, which can be checked with the Michigan Secretary of State’s office online.