Clerk: How to Obtain an Absentee Ballot

Information

With the passage of Proposal 2 in November of 2022, there are three (3) different ways you can vote:

1. Early Voting

Proposal 2 requires 9 days of early voting for Federal and State elections including two weekends. Starting in 2024, whenever there is a Federal or State election there will be an early voting site in Houghton County open for 9 days prior to Election Day. The site will be open for 8 hours (8:00 am until 4:00 pm) each day (including the two weekends prior to Election Day). Voters can cast their ballot in the tabulator just like on Election Day. Once you put your ballot through the tabulator, you cannot revote if your candidate withdraws or is removed from the ballot for whatever reason.

The Early Voting Site for all 2024 elections in Houghton County will be at: Houghton City Center, 616 Shelden Avenue, Room 203, Houghton. The site is accessible with an elevator; OR

2. Permanent Ballot List

Currently, voters who are on the permanent absentee application list have until the end of 2024 to decide if they want to be on the Permanent Ballot List. The permanent absentee application list will no longer exist at the end of 2024.

Voters who prefer to vote with an absentee voter ballot, can request in writing to be placed on the Permanent Ballot List or check the appropriate box on an application in 2024. This means you will be mailed a ballot prior to each election without having to fill out an Application for Absent Voter Ballot like you do now. If a voter chooses to be placed on the Permanent Ballot List, the voter is responsible to let the clerk know at least 45 days prior to the election if they need the ballot sent to a different address as the Post Office will NOT forward ballots. It will be the voter’s responsibility to communicate with their Clerk to make sure ballots are sent to the correct address; OR

3. Vote in the Precinct on Election Day
For voters who prefer to vote in person on Election Day, the polls will still be open from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm on Election Day.

Voters must inform their City/Township Clerk in writing to obtain an absentee ballot application, or to be placed on a permanent absentee voter list.