Want to Vote in the Presidential Primary? Here is What You Need to Know

The Michigan presidential primary will be held March 8, 2016.

The Presidential Primary election will happen on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 and if you are planning to vote in it, there are a few things you need to know.

First, Michigan is having a closed primary. In previous primaries, all voters were given the same ballot which contained candidates from all parties. Voters selected in which party’s primary they wished to vote, and voted for their chosen candidate. In a closed primary, voters will have to choose a Democratic ballot or a Republican ballot in writing. Which ballot you request, although not the candidate you vote for, will be publicly available through the Freedom of Information Act for a set period of time after the election. Which primary you vote in has no relationship to whom you can vote for in the general election in November. You will still be able to vote for any candidate in any party. For more information click HERE. To see the list of candidates appearing on the ballot click HERE.

Second, in addition to voting in the presidential primaries, Washtenaw County residents will vote on renewing a levy of .20 mills to continue to operate and renew the county-enhanced emergency communications system by potentially building new towers, upgrading existing infrastructure and purchasing necessary equipment. Voters in Bridgwater and Manchester Townships who live within the Clinton School District will also be voting on an operating millage renewal proposal.

Third, you must be registered to vote by February 8th which gives you just three weeks to get registered if you aren’t already. If you are already registered and you have moved recently, you need to amend your registration record. Both of these can be done at the Michigan Secretary of State or the county clerk’s office during regular business hours, or if you live in our coverage area they can be done by appointment or during regular office hours at your township office:

Bridgewater Township
Office hours: 1 – 3 pm, Tuesday at
10990 Clinton Road, Manchester, MI 48158 (517) 456-6725

Freedom Township
8795 Pleasant Lake Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (734) 222-6399

Manchester Township
Office hours: 8:30 am – noon, Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri at
275 S. Macomb Street, Manchester, MI 48158 (734) 428-7090

Sharon Township
Office hours: 9 am – noon, Thursday at
18010 Pleasant Lake Rd, Manchester, MI 48158 (248) 910-5527

You may also register by completing a Mail-in Voter Registration Application and forwarding to the Election Official as directed on the application by the close of registration deadline. The mail-in voter registration application may be found HERE or obtained by contacting the above offices. If you register to vote with a Mail-in Application, you are required to vote in person the first time (with a few exceptions.)

And lastly, you should bring a photo ID with you when you vote. Acceptable IDs include a Michigan driver’s license or state-issued ID card, a driver’s license or personal identification card issued by another state, a federal or state government-issued photo identification, a U.S. passport, a military ID with photo, a student identification with photo from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning, or a tribal identification card with photo. The ID does not need your address. If you do not have photo ID or do not bring it with you to the polls, you will still be allowed to vote; however, you will be asked to sign an affidavit stating that you are not in possession of photo identification. Your ballot will be included with all others and will be counted on Election Day.

If you still have questions about the upcoming Presidential Primary or registering to vote, contact your township clerk at the offices listed above.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.