APRIL 1, 2009

School, community millage requests among local ballot issues

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land reminds residents that Monday, April 6 is the last day to register to vote for the May 5 election.

"If your community has an election scheduled May 5 and you're not already registered, I encourage you to do so," said Land, the state's chief election officer. "Local elections have an impact on the schools your children attend and the neighborhood you live in. Voting is an excellent way to speak out and make your voice heard."

Detroit voters will elect a mayor, while school districts will elect board members and vote on bond issues. Some communities will vote on millages for police and fire departments or select members of library boards.

To register, applicants must be at least 18 years old by Election Day and be U.S. citizens. Applicants 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, residents may visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.Michigan.gov/vote. Residents can also find information on voting by absentee ballot, Michigan's voter identification requirement, using voting equipment and contacting their local clerk. In addition, they will find a map to their local polling place and a sample ballot.

Residents are reminded of the voter identification requirement when at the polls on Election Day. They will be asked to present photo ID, such as a Michigan driver's license or identification card. Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls can still vote. They will sign a brief affidavit stating that they're not in possession of photo ID. Their ballots will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.

Voters who don't have a Michigan driver's license or identification card can show the following forms of photo ID, as long as they are current:

• 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.

Additional election information can be found at www.Michigan.gov/sos.

Related Link
> Elections on May 5, 2009 by County PDF