December 10, 2007

Voter Information Center a useful voter resource

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land reminds residents that Monday, Dec. 17 is the last day to register to vote in the Jan. 15 presidential primary election.

"The primary is the first opportunity Michigan residents have to affect the election of a new president," said Land, the state's chief election officer. "If you are not yet registered to vote in Michigan, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Voter participation is the foundation of our democracy."

To register, people must be at least 18 years old by Election Day and be U.S. residents. They must also be residents of Michigan and of the city or township in which they wish to register.

Voters may register in person or by mail. The mail-in form is on the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos. First-time voters who register by mail must vote in person in their first election, unless they hand-deliver the application to their local clerk, are 60 years old or older, are disabled, or are overseas.

To check their registration status, voters may visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.Michigan.gov/vote. Residents will be able to find information on voting by absentee ballot, Michigan's voter identification requirement, using voting equipment and contacting their local clerk. They will also find a map to their local polling place.

When they arrive at the polls Jan. 15, voters will be asked which party's primary they wish to vote in and they will receive a ballot for that party. That ballot will also contain any special election issues. For voters who wish only to vote in the special election, they can ask for a ballot that does not include presidential candidates. This election replaces the regular February election for this year only.

On the absentee voter application, voters are reminded that they must check a box to indicate which party's ballot they would like.

Voters are again reminded of the identification requirement. They will be asked to present photo ID at the polls, such as a Michigan driver's license or identification card.

Voters who don't have a Michigan driver's license or identification card can show the following forms of photo ID:

• Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
• Federal or state government-issued photo identification
• U.S. passport
• Military identification card with photo
• Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, such as a college or university
• Tribal identification card with photo.

Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID or is not carrying one can still vote. They will sign a brief form stating that they're not in possession of a photo ID. Their ballots will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.

Additional information is available on the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos.