NOVEMBER 3, 2005

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land is encouraging residents who plan to cast absent-voter ballots in the Nov. 8 election to learn about their rights and responsibilities.

"Voting by absentee ballot is a fundamental right that allows everyone to participate in the democratic process," said Land, Michigan’s chief election officer. "You can best protect that right by understanding what is allowable under the law. There are specific rules that safeguard ballots from tampering and protect you from being influenced while voting your ballot.

"I encourage everyone to share this information with friends and family members, especially those who have disabilities or reside in senior centers or nursing homes. Your vote is your voice. Make sure your voice is heard and protected."

Land offers the following reminders:

• If you need help marking your absent-voter ballot, ask someone you trust for assistance. Under no circumstances should anyone approach you first with an offer to help. It is also against the law for anyone to try to influence your vote while you are preparing to mark your ballot.
• If you have someone mark the ballot for you, review your choices to make sure it was marked as you directed. The person marking the ballot on your behalf must sign the ballot return envelope stating that he or she assisted you.

Voters needing assistance in returning their completed ballot to the clerk’s office have several options.

They can mail it, deliver it to the clerk’s office in person or have a member of their immediate family or a person living in their household return it to the clerk’s office.

If none of these options are available, call your local clerk who will send an authorized assistant to pick up the ballot. Voters should make sure that the ballot is completed and sealed in the return envelope before the authorized assistant arrives.

Land emphasizes that no one other than those specified is allowed to return ballots. Nor should anyone else ask you to give him or her your completed ballot. She encourages anyone who believes that these procedures are being violated to call the Department of State’s Bureau of Elections toll-free at 1-866-766-4355.

It is also helpful to remember that:

• Building managers and staff cannot take possession of your ballot. Do not turn your ballot over to them unless they are handling it as part of their duties to collect that building’s outgoing mail.
• It is illegal to vote in a group setting. Do not attend any meeting at which the residents of your building or members of an organization to which you belong are being asked to vote at the same time.

The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail is 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. To vote an absentee ballot in person at a clerk’s office, you must do so by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7.

Voters who qualify for an emergency absentee ballot can get one after 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 up until 4 p.m. on Election Day. Valid reasons for an emergency ballot include a physical disability or last-minute travel necessitated by a family illness or death that makes it impossible to apply for an absent-voter ballot by the Saturday deadline.

Visit the department Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos for more information about elections in Michigan.