Lansing – October 26, 2012 – Voters just need to log on to www.Michigan.gov/vote to check status
One of my neighbors always votes absentee. That has always puzzled me.
But to make it even better, I just heard that Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announces an innovative online feature that allows voters to check the status of their ballot.
“I encourage absentee voters to visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.Michigan.gov/sos to check the status of their ballot,” Johnson said. “If they want to know when their ballot was mailed or if it’s been received, they can find out online from anywhere they have Internet access.”
Once a local clerk receives a voter’s application for an absentee ballot, the voter’s ballot information is continually updated by the clerk’s office as it’s sent and received. Absentee ballots are counted on Election Day after polls close.
This election cycle is the first one in which all absentee voters will be able to use the ballot tracking feature. Previously, local clerks were required to use the tracking system only for military and overseas ballots, but legislation promoted by Johnson was signed into law that requires all jurisdictions to participate. Although many large jurisdictions had made use of the feature, many small jurisdictions did not.
The Secretary of State’s Office had new software created so that clerks in small jurisdictions also would be able to participate.
Voters who can’t find up-to-date information about their ballot.
If you wish to vote absentee, you must qualify to do so under Michigan law. Registered voters may obtain an absentee ballot if:
- · Expect to be absent from the community in which you are registered for the entire time the polls will be open on Election Day.
- ● Have been appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.
- ● Are physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another.
- ● Are unable to go to the polls due to religious reasons.
- ● Are in jail awaiting arraignment or trial.
● Are 60 years old or older.