There is an election taking place November 5th, and voters in many Washtenaw County communities will be voting on a variety of issues.
WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Geoff Smereck, Director of Voter Services for the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area, about what voters will see on their local ballots and reminds them of new rules and policies impacting voters that are now in place.
What’s going to be on our ballots Nov 5?
Chelsea, Milan, and Salinewill elect council members.
Milan will also elect a mayor and library board members
Northfield Township – prohibit marijuana
And a series of millage renewal or new requests for a wide range of communities and schools
- Manchester Township fire equipment millage renewal and road maintenance millage renewal
- Scio Township – increase fire protection assessment millage
- Ann Arbor School District –bonding proposal for up to One Billion Dollars for the purpose of school improvements
- Chelsea School District – bonding proposal for up to Eighty‐One Million Dollars for the purpose of school improvements including grounds, purchasing technology, school buses
- Napoleon Schools – renew an 18 mil operating millage
- Pinckney Schools – 2 operating millage proposals
- Van Buren Schools - $85 million bond proposal
- Oakland Community College – operating millage renewal.
How can I find out what’s on my ballot?
- Online, you can use www.VOTE411.org – the League of Women Voter’s website where you can see your ballot and, there are candidates running for office, you will see their bio information and answers to questions posed by the League.
- This November, some voters will have only a proposal, some might have none.
- In 2020, our ballots will be long.
How can I find out if I’m registered to vote?
If I’m not registered, is it too late to register for this November’s election?
Because Proposition 3 was passed, you can register to vote even on Election Day if you follow the rules. Residency verification is required.
- Up to 15 days before an election register at Secretary of State office, township/city/county clerk’s office, a designated state agency or by mail.
- During the 14 days preceding an election – must go in person to your township or city clerk.
- On election day – register and vote in person with your township or city clerk (not at your precinct).
If I can’t take time off from work to vote – can I vote absentee?
Because Proposition 3 was passed, now all voters can vote early via absentee ballot.
How? Fill out an application for absentee ballot, which can be found at clerks’ offices or www.Michigan.gov/Vote.
- Mail it – your application must be received by 5 p.m. Friday before the election. Your ballot will be mailed to you and you can complete it and drop it off in person to township or city clerk’s office or, if time permits return it through the mail.
- Drop your application off in person at township or city clerk’s office by 4 p.m. Monday before the election and get your ballot right then.
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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu
