The registration of voters is a function of the Clerk’s office. Every voter is a resident of just one jurisdiction, is represented by the elected officials of that jurisdiction, and may take part in the election process only in that jurisdiction.
STATE-WIDE SYSTEM
The State of Michigan has recently gained national recognition for being one of the first and one of the stellar examples of an outstanding state-wide voter registration system. In 1994, the State legislature appropriated funds for establishment of a state-wide voter registration system to be in place by the 1998 election.
All registrations and changes in registrations are kept in a state-wide computerized file. Pere Marquette Charter Township, along with the Mason County Clerk’s office, Hamlin Township, and the City of Ludington, served as a test site for the system in its early stages. law requires that the same address be used for voter registration and driver license purposes. If you make a change in your driver’s license at a Secretary of State branch office, your voter registration will automatically be changed to the same jurisdiction.
When you register to vote at the Secretary of State branch office, your record is automatically forwarded to the Clerk’s office via computer. The signed registration card then follows in the mail. If you register here at the Clerk’s office, we add your registration to the state-wide files. The system does an outstanding job of helping people keep their registrations current. It also affords us the tools to provide an accurate record on election day so that eligible voters are able to vote in each and every election.
Scroll to the end of this section to see information on how you can access the State-Wide system!
RESIDENCE
By law your residence is the place where you habitually sleep, keep your personal effects and have your regular place of lodging. Michigan law requires that the same address be used for voter registration and driver license purposes.
VOTER QUALIFICATION
You are qualified to vote if:
· You are a citizen of the United States
· You are at least 18 years of age on or before the day of election
· You have been a resident of Michigan for at least 30 days before the election
· You have registered to vote on or before the close of registration preceding the election in which you wish to vote
ELIGIBILITY
In order to be eligible to vote, you must be registered. Voter registration applications can originate at any of the following, but are not valid registrations until accepted by the Clerk’s office:
· Office of the Pere Marquette Charter Township Clerk ( 1699 S. Pere Marquette Highway )
· Secretary of State drivers license office
· Secretary of State “renewal by mail”
· State and Federal mail-in forms (note: voters using mail-in registration forms may be required to vote in person the first time they vote—not by absentee voting!)
· Various governmental agencies such as Department of Human Services, Dept. of Community Health, Michigan Jobs Commission, Commission for the Blind, Armed Forces Recruiters, and Federal Post Card Application
DO I NEED TO RE-REGISTER?
You do not need to re-register prior to every election. However, anytime you move out of one community (jurisdiction) and into another, you must re-register with the Clerk of that jurisdiction. It is always good practice prior to an election to call the Clerk’s office and double check that your registration is current if you have recently moved or changed your name.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
If you move from one precinct to another within the Township, a change of address should be made with the Township Clerk’s office, or at the Secretary of State’s office. If you move into or out of the Township, it is very important that you process a new registration.
CLOSE OF REGISTRATION
For each election, the list of eligible voters is valid for those persons who are included on the registration list 30 days prior to the election. If you have moved, it is very important that you check the validity of your registration in your new jurisdiction. If you are not properly registered 30 days prior to an election, you probably will not be able to vote.
NOTES OF CAUTION
Michigan
If you change your name, you must process a new voter registration through the Secretary of State branch office.
If you use a mail-in registration form to process your registration, it is very important that you follow up to make sure that the Clerk’s office received that registration. In addition, for mail-in registrations only, you may not be allowed to vote absentee the first time you vote.
MILITARY PERSONNEL/PERSONS RESIDING OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES
Federal laws provide special procedures for the jurisdictional eligibility and voting rights of persons and their families serving in the military and for civilians residing outside of the United States . Call the Clerk’s office for assistance with these situations.
STATE WEBSITE
A new and useful website - The Secretary of State has recently established a Voter Information Center online to provide information regarding your voter registration status, polling place, and a list of candidates and proposals. The site gives you an opportunity to see what candidates, parties and proposals will appear on your ballot. You are encouraged to go to www.michigan.gov/sos. That will take you to the Secretary of State home page. Down a short distance toward the left side, you will see “Featured Services.” Within that box is “Secretary of State Voter Information Center.” Go there, type in your name or address and the location of your polling place should come up. You can go deeper into that area to see a map, and view a list of your candidates and proposals. The SOS home page also provides election information.
QUESTIONS?
Call our office at 231/845-1279 and ask to speak to Joanne.