Democracy Drumbeat: Our April Recap

Authors Note 

Happy (almost) Election Day! Our vote is our voice, and in our democracy, your voice matters. This election cycle will be focused on local issues. With 68 counties in the state holding elections next week, voting on local issues in your community is so important. 

Whether you’ve made your plan to vote or need a last minute refresher – stay tuned and keep reading!  

Our April Democracy Recap 

Elections Update – Election Day: May 2, 2023

For many communities in Michigan, special elections are coming up. If you have an election in your community, you can visit MI.gov/vote to: 

• See if you have an election coming up
• Check your voter registration
• Find your polling place
• Search for your city/township clerk information 

Got your registration ready? 

If you still need to register to vote, you must register or update your registration in person at your city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency. 

You can do so until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Details on registering to vote and the proof of residency requirement can be found here. 

Questions about Voting Before Election Day?  

Absentee ballots for in-person absentee voting are available. If you wish to vote before Election Day but have not already requested an absentee ballot, we encourage you to vote in person at your city or township clerk’s office using an absentee ballot. 

You can go to MI.gov/vote, enter the required information to see your clerk’s hours and location(s), and whether there’s a May election in your community. 

Access to the Ballot

Everyone deserves equal access to the ballot. You can call your clerk’s office ahead of time to check your polling site accessibility.

You can visit the link here to review resources offered by the Michigan Voter Information Center for accessibility and access to the ballot. 

Know Your Rights

Everyone should be able to exercise their freedom to vote without fear of intimidation or harassment. That’s why it’s important to know your rights before heading to the polls. 

Visit MichiganVoting.org where you can find voting resources, get answers to common questions, and download the Know Your Rights Guide. Resources are also available in Spanish, Arabic, and Bangla. 

You can also call the election protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). This number provides voters with information, guidance and assistance, and responds to complaints or obstacles to voting. 

Democracy Legislation Update

The first bill to push Proposal 2 has passed the Senate. Senate Bill 259 will ensure that absentee ballots of voters that are in the military or living overseas can be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received within six days after.

This bill has now moved to the House of Representatives where it passed the House Elections Committee.  

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