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brooklynite

(94,552 posts)
Wed May 20, 2020, 08:41 AM May 2020

All Michigan voters receive application to vote by mail

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced today that all registered voters in Michigan will receive an application to vote by mail in the August and November elections.

“By mailing applications, we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote,” said Benson. “Voting by mail is easy, convenient, safe, and secure, and every voter in Michigan has the right to do it.”

Of the 7.7 million registered voters in the state, about 1.3 million are on the permanent absent voter list, and their local election clerk mails them applications ahead of every election. Additionally, some jurisdictions are mailing applications to all local registered voters. The Michigan Department of State’s Bureau of Elections has ensured all remaining registered voters receive an application.

“We appreciate that some clerks are proactively protecting public health by mailing applications to all their registered voters, and we are fulfilling our responsibility to provide all voters equal access,” said Benson. “We know from the elections that took place this month that during the pandemic Michiganders want to safely vote.”

Record-breaking turnout was recorded in the approximately 50 elections held across 33 counties on May 5, with nearly 25 percent of eligible voters casting ballots and 99 percent of them doing so by mail or in a drop box. From 2010 to 2019, average turnout in local elections in May was 12 percent.

The application mailing from the Bureau of Elections includes a cover letter with instructions from Secretary Benson. Once a voter signs their application, they can mail it or email a photo of it to their local clerk, whose contact information is included on the application. The application is also available for download at Michigan.gov/Vote. At the same website, voters can also register and join the permanent absent voter list so they always have the option to vote by mail.

“The vast majority of voters across the political spectrum want the option to vote by mail,” said Benson. “Mailing applications to all registered voters is one of the ways that we are ensuring Michigan’s elections will continue to be safe, accurate and secure.”


10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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All Michigan voters receive application to vote by mail (Original Post) brooklynite May 2020 OP
I've got mine Siwsan May 2020 #1
Threatening True Blue American May 2020 #2
He loved Michigan when the previous Governor was poisoning people Siwsan May 2020 #4
IIRC Ohioans all got absentee requests forms in 2016 Maeve May 2020 #5
Not everyone gets them. True Blue American May 2020 #7
Mailing to all voters is also the most fair thing to do. Renew Deal May 2020 #3
Minnesota has no excuse early voting 6 weeks before Election Day.... ProudMNDemocrat May 2020 #6
State and local. True Blue American May 2020 #8
It will be curious how Minnesota does this election rockfordfile May 2020 #9
Steve Simon is our Sec of State..... ProudMNDemocrat May 2020 #10

Siwsan

(26,262 posts)
1. I've got mine
Wed May 20, 2020, 08:45 AM
May 2020

Now I hear that 'He Who Must Not Be Obeyed' is throwing a hissy fit, saying it's illegal. Well, Michigan now has a 'no reason needed' absentee voting system so how can it possibly be illegal? Rhetorical question, of course.

True Blue American

(17,984 posts)
2. Threatening
Wed May 20, 2020, 08:51 AM
May 2020

Not to fund the state. DeWine and Husted both said,” All Ohioans will vote. They sent out prepaid postage in the Primary, but you had to request them.

This time I expect all will get forms.

Siwsan

(26,262 posts)
4. He loved Michigan when the previous Governor was poisoning people
Wed May 20, 2020, 08:54 AM
May 2020

Now that the current Governor is striving to save lives, he's out to kill us, himself.

Maeve

(42,282 posts)
5. IIRC Ohioans all got absentee requests forms in 2016
Wed May 20, 2020, 09:09 AM
May 2020

A courtesy for presidential years. My mom was disappointed that it didn't happen in 2018 and I had to go online and download the application for her.

I get an application every election in the mail about working the polls.

True Blue American

(17,984 posts)
7. Not everyone gets them.
Wed May 20, 2020, 10:10 AM
May 2020

Depends on your local board.

Husted was forced to send them one year to everyone after he lost law suit after lawsuit. But I do expect them this year. I worked the polls until I could no longer handle the long days. I feel for those board members who try so hard to get a clean election.

It is easier now with the advances but they still have trouble getting poll workers. One of the reasons I want all Mail.

ProudMNDemocrat

(16,785 posts)
6. Minnesota has no excuse early voting 6 weeks before Election Day....
Wed May 20, 2020, 09:35 AM
May 2020

And more people are doing that..

It is states that run elections. Trump can piss and moan all he wants. He cannot dictate what states do to please HIM.

ProudMNDemocrat

(16,785 posts)
10. Steve Simon is our Sec of State.....
Wed May 20, 2020, 10:49 AM
May 2020

I have been voting this way for 2 election cycles now. Early in person , no excuse Absentee voting is secure. I show my ID to verify my receipt to get my ballot for the proper Preceint/Ward so I can vote. Envelopes sealed and placed in the ballot box. Takes less than 15 minutes. I will do this for the General in 2020 as well. Wether or not I Election Judge this time, is another story.

Minnesota also has same day Voter Registration.

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