Michigan voting issues

Election and registration information

 * Voting info and FAQs from Michigan Secretary of state.
 * Michigan Voter Information Center from Michigan Secretary of state.

Voter ID requirement
Due to a recent court ruling, every Michigan voter must present picture identification at the polls, or sign an affidavit attesting that he or she is not in possession of picture identification.


 * Prepare for Election Day

Remember to bring an acceptable form of photo identification to the polls on Election Day. If you don't have photo ID you can still vote (see Voting Without Photo ID below).

Your photo ID does not need to have your address on it. In addition, the name on your identification card may be a shorter form of your name. For example, "Bill" for "William" and "Kathy" for "Katherine" are acceptable.

After showing your photo ID to the poll worker and signing the application, you may cast your ballot.


 * Voting Without Photo ID

If you do not have photo ID, you can still cast a ballot simply by signing an affidavit. The affidavit can be used by:


 * Voters who have photo ID but didn't bring it to the polls

Once you sign the affidavit, you may cast your ballot. It will be counted with all other ballots on Election Day.


 * Getting a State ID Card

If you do not have a driver's license or other acceptable photo identification, you can get a state identification card at your local Secretary of State branch office for $10.

State ID cards are free to individuals who are 65 or older or who are blind. Cards are also free to those who have had driving privileges terminated due to a physical or mental condition, or who can show another good cause for the fee waiver.

Proof of identity and residency are required when applying for a state ID card.

Provisional voting
Poll workers may decide you cannot vote if they think you do not look like your photo ID. If you are told you cannot vote you can demand to vote with a provisional ballot. If you vote provisionally you have six days to bring acceptable ID to election officials.

2008 election
For the 2008 election Michigan used the following voting machines. For a county-by-county list of the specific machines (and the source for this section) see Verified Voting's Verifier tool.

Optical scan machines:
 * Sequoia Voting Systems Optech Insight
 * Diebold AccuVote OS
 * ES&S Model 100

Assistive Devices for Marking Paper Ballots:
 * Election Systems & Software's AutoMARK Technical Systems AutoMARK VAT

Governmental election authorities
Michigan Department of State: Terri Lynn Land

Website: http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633---,00.html

Contact information:
 * Mailing address: Michigan Department of State, Lansing, MI 48918
 * Department of State Information Center toll-free number: (888) SOS-MICH; (888) 767-6424
 * Media inquiries should contact the Office of Communications at (517) 373-2520


 * Locate a Michigan Secretary of State branch office.


 * Find your county clerk.

State and local non-governmental election organizations
League of Woman Voters

LWV of Michigan, Jessica Reiser, President
 * 8200 Museum Drive, Suite 104
 * Lansing, MI 48933-1997
 * Phone: 517-484-5383
 * Fax: 517-484-3086
 * E-mail: office@lwvmi.org
 * http://www.lwvmi.org/

Local Leagues:
 * Alpena County
 * Ann Arbor Area
 * Berrien & Cass Counties
 * Copper Country
 * Dearborn-Dearborn Heights
 * Delta County
 * Detroit
 * Detroit Metro Area (ILO)
 * Flint Area
 * Grand Haven Area
 * Grand Traverse,Antrim,Benzie,Leelanau and Kalkaska
 * Grosse Pointe
 * Holland Area
 * Kalamazoo Area
 * Lansing Area
 * Macomb County MAL Unit
 * Manistee County
 * Midland Area
 * Mt. Pleasant Area
 * Northwest Wayne County
 * Oakland Area
 * Saginaw County
 * Troy

Michigan Election Reform Alliance

Description: The Michigan Election Reform Alliance (MERA) is a non-profit, non-partisan, pro-democracy, grassroots organization dedicated to the realization of election processes that consistently uphold the principles of democracy to ensure the confidence of voters and maximize representation of all citizens of the United States of America.


 * Website: http://www.michiganelectionreformalliance.org/

Contact information:
 * Please see the list of contacts at the MERA About page.

Resources
 * Michigan voter resources
 * Voting Machine List by County
 * Election Problems in Michigan 2006

External resources
Voter Protection Laws in A Nutshell
 * Michigan Voter Protection Laws in A Nutshell

Voter ID Toolkit
 * Michigan Voter ID Toolkit

Verify registration
 * Michigan - Verify you are Registered to Vote

External articles

 * "Michigan denies removing eligible voters from rolls" Freep.com (20081009)