BALLOT

There are several options for returning mail-in ballots — use this map and searchable listings to find the one closest to you.

Believe it or not, midterm elections are right around the corner, and Michigan voters are getting ready to choose their governor.

A worldwide paper shortage is having a ripple effect. Some retailers can't print catalogs, and prices for direct mail are far more expensive than in years past.

For political reasons, many politicians -- mostly Republicans -- have tried to convince the electorate the absentee ballots are not a safe and secure way to vote.

FLINT – We’ve got 10 candidates for your consideration on this week’s Flint-area high school sports Athlete of the Week ballot. The ballot will remain open until 6 p.m. Nov. 1 and we’ll publish the results the follow morning.

On Monday, the former chairmen of the Democrat and Republican parties in Michigan announced their support for a new ballot initiative that would change things in a big way.

As of right now Proposal P isn’t even on the August ballot, but that will not stop people from fighting for it.

A Flint business address at the top of a nominating petition, instead of a Grand Blanc home address, didn't spoil the signatures gathered by B. Chris Christenson, the appeals court said Thursday. FLINT, Mich. – State election officials took the wrong path in trying to keep a Genesee County judicial candidate off the 2020 ballot, the Michigan Court of Appeals said. A Flint business address at the top of a nominating petition, instead of a Grand Blanc home address, didn't spoil the signatures gathered by B. Chris Christenson, the appeals court said Thursday. Christenson advanced to the November election and won a seat on the Genesee County Circuit Court. Read more: Headlines from Genesee County

“Clearly, Biden was not able to capture the imagination of the Florida electorate and create the type of enthusiasm to go out and vote for Biden like Trump did with his base of supporters in the state,” said Fernand Amandi, a Miami-based Democratic pollster. “It’s an unacceptable record of futility. What makes it so vexing is that the problems that need to be fixed are so apparent. But they just don’t get fixed.”

WHY AP CALLED NORTH CAROLINA FOR TRUMPThe Associated Press declared Donald Trump the winner in North Carolina on Friday after concluding there were not enough ballots left to be counted that would allow Joe Biden to overtake his lead. Friday was the deadline for counties in North Carolina to certify their results. Following updates from most counties in the state, Trump was leading by about 73,690 votes, or 1.3 percentage points. But a few individual contests, including North Carolina, remained too early to call. North Carolina took a long time to call because the race was close and ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 could be counted until Thursday.

To get a ballot, they must complete an application stating why they were admitted and that they do not expect to be released before the election, or, if released, expect to be housebound. Along with this application, a doctor, advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant must state that the patient was admitted and not expected to be released or, if released, not able to travel.

Detroit Lions player Trey Flowers and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist will be part of an online voting townhall this afternoon titled “Your Vote Matters: How to Cast Yours in Michigan." Eligible Michigan voters can learn their options when it comes to registering to vote and casting their ballot. The event is being hosted by the “Players Coalition” which is an independent advocacy organization made up of over 1,400 professional athletes, coaches and team owners. The online townhall gets underway at 5 p.m. and to register to be apart of it click here.

University of Michigan professor of computer science and engineering J. Alex Halderman is one of the country’s foremost election security experts. But some jurisdictions have begun using ballot-marking devices for every voter. If you vote using a ballot-marking device, scrutinize the printout and tell a poll worker if any selection isn’t right. All voters in Arkansas, South Carolina, Georgia, California’s Los Angeles County and Philadelphia will vote using ballot-marking devices. Don’t vote onlineThere’s pressure on election officials to provide easier ways to vote remotely this year.

Postal officials have repeatedly said the agency has more than enough capacity to handle the surge of ballots this fall, and its leaders have committed to prioritizing election mail. Some policies are the subject of court cases and could change before Nov. 3, so voters should check with their local election officials if they're unsure. Then, not too long after DeJoy took over, Trump openly admitted he was starving the Postal Service of coronavirus relief money to make it harder for the agency to process ballots. Otherwise, return your ballot early and don't wait until the last few days. ___AP’s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020.

Michigan voters who feel uncomfortable voting in person amid the pandemic now have the option to vote by mail using an absent voter ballot. The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for this year’s August and November elections. There is still time for Michigan voters to request a mail-in ballot for the General Election on November 3. You can apply to receive an absent voter ballot on the state’s website right here. Learn more: Voting by mail in Michigan for 2020 General Election: What to knowDo you need a voter registration card in order to vote in person?

DETROIT – On Friday, Detroit’s city clerk and postmaster discussed the process of how ballots already in the mail will be handled this year. “Every ballot will reach its intended destination,” said Detroit Postmaster, Darron Bray. “We will timely deliver all election mail, and we will do that definitely securely,” Bray said. Winfrey is urging voters to trust that everything will go smoothly on Election Day. Trust the process,” Winfrey said.

No postage is required to return your Michigan absent voter ballot in person. Remember: The back of the envelope containing the completed absent voter ballot must be signed by the voter or it will not be counted. Mail your ballotYou can return your completed absent voter ballot by mailing it to your local clerk’s office. For this reason, we are recommending mailing in your completed absent voter ballot as soon as possible ahead of Election Day. Postage will be required to return your Michigan absent voter ballot by mail.

ANN ARBOR – With the general election just 26 days away, the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s office announced it will be open extended hours every Wednesday through the end of the month. Wednesday hours at Larcom City Hall are now 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Starting tonight, Ann Arbor City Clerk’s Office at Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St., is open extended hours every Wednesday in October - 8 a.m.-7 p.m.! https://t.co/uwXQqekwRQ #A2Votes — City of Ann Arbor (@A2GOV) October 7, 2020The clerk’s office will also be open on the last two Saturdays of the month (Oct. 24 and 31) from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.Larcom City Hall is at 301 E. Huron St.Also new this year, the city clerk’s office has set up a satellite office at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. All residents are welcome to visit the office located inside the first floor Stenn Gallery at 525 S. State St.For more information about voting in Ann Arbor, visit the city’s election website.

DETROIT – The city of Detroit will open 23 satellite voting centers throughout the city and will also add seven secure standalone ballot drop boxes starting Monday, Oct. 5. The centers will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will also be open Election Day, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.Detroit residents will be able to vote and cast their ballot at all of the satellite centers. For a complete list of satellite voting centers and ballot drop box locations click here.

FARMINGTON, Mich. – Police are warning Metro Detroiters about a new election scam involving a so-called “group of activists” who go door-to-door and offer to take ballots to clerks offices. The latest election scam has taken place in Farmington, officials said. Melanie Dequesnal, of the Better Business Bureau, said there’s always a concern when someone shows up at the door unannounced, especially as election scams grow. Homeowners should be prepared for these types of scams, Dequesnal said. Unfortunately, this is just one of the many election scams they’re following, according to authorities.

Are you ready to cast your vote for President? Perhaps you’ve already done so now that mail-in voting is fast underway in Michigan. If you haven’t already cast your ballot, do you think the series of presidential debates has any chance of changing your mind about either former Vice President Joe Biden or President Donald Trump? Do you think the debates could change anyone’s mind? Take the quick poll, then tell us why:Trust Index: What do you want fact-checked from presidential debate?

By law, Michigan clerks must begin mailing requested absent voter ballots to voters 40 days before the election -- which is September 24. The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for this year’s August and November elections. Inside of your official Michigan absent voter ballot envelope is a brightly-colored “secrecy sleeve” containing your ballot. Emergency Michigan absent voter ballots must still be returned to the voter’s local clerk’s office by the 8 p.m. deadline on Election Day. For more information about emergency absent voter ballots, Michigan voters are encouraged to contact their local clerk’s office directly.

We received this question a couple times through our callouts for election questions and concerns among Michigan voters. In Michigan, can you vote in person even if you applied for an absentee ballot? However, you must take the appropriate steps to return the absent voter ballot to your clerk. You must have your absent voter ballot spoiled before you will be able to vote in person. Here’s what the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office says:If a voter received an AV (absent voter) ballot and requests to spoil it and receive a new one:May request a new ballot be mailed until 2 p.m. on the Saturday prior to the electionMay request a new ballotin person until 4 p.m. on the Monday prior to the election*May vote in person on election day by completing Affidavit of Lost or Destroyed Absent Voter Ballot or by surrendering original ballotThe third bullet point would apply to the scenario where a voter has received an absent voter ballot but instead wishes to vote in person.

Filling out a Michigan absent voter ballot for the 2020 General ElectionOnce you receive your absent voter ballot in the mail, it simply needs to be filled out following the written instructions attached and returned before the deadline. Inside of your official Michigan absent voter ballot envelope is a brightly-colored “secrecy sleeve” containing your ballot. To return your absent voter ballot on time, you have two options:Return your absent voter ballot by mailYou can return your completed absent voter ballot by mailing it to your local clerk’s office. Postage will be required to return your Michigan absent voter ballot by mail. A Michigan voter hoping to spoil their previously-cast vote has two options to do so:Spoil your Michigan absent voter ballot by mailTo spoil your Michigan absent voter ballot by mail, you must send a letter to your local clerk’s office stating as such.

MASON, Mich. – A prosecutor in Michigan has flushed a complaint about a toilet that was promoted as a place to drop absentee ballots. The election clerk in Ingham County informed police about a toilet on the front lawn of a home in Mason, near Lansing. A sign said, "Place mail in ballots here.”Barb Byrum, a Democrat, said it's a felony to take illegal possession of absentee ballots. Election officials fear that Trump's earlier claims about “mayhem” could cause anxiety among voters at a time when absentee ballots are being promoted to avoid coronavirus risks. About 2.4 million Michigan voters so far have asked for absentee ballots.

Ballot issue sparks war of words between President Trump, Michigan Secretary of StateIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

DETROIT The Michigan Secretary of States Office and the Detroit city clerk are teaming to make sure every vote counts for the upcoming November general election. Presidential elections always bring a lot of energy, said Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey. Winfrey said her office and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are working together to make sure every vote is counted. They are recruiting and training at least 6,000 election workers to make sure all 182 polling locations and 134 absentee counting boards are fully staffed. They will conduct physically distant in person training at Little Caesars Arena for new election workers to ensure election workers and staff are ready for Nov. 3.

DETROIT Tuesday marked a historic primary election in Michigan with a record number of absentee ballots cast. Officials said more than 2 million absentee ballots were requested and more than 1.6 million were returned. That broke the record for absentee ballots by 300,000. On the same ballot, Tlaib won another tight race to serve the full term. In 2018, she lost the absentee ballot portion in both the special and regular election.

LANSING, Mich. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Wednesday that voters are encouraged to drop off their absent voter ballots in person as the Michigan Primary Election approaches on Aug. 4. As of 2018 Michigan voters now have the option to vote by mail for no reason using absentee ballots -- and a significant number of Michigan voters are choosing to do so amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. READ: Voting by mail in Aug. 4 Michigan Primary Election: What to knowAs the Aug. 4 election approaches, officials say it is a good idea to return Michigan absentee ballots in person rather than by mail. If you have not yet mailed in your completed Michigan Primary Election absentee ballot, you are encouraged to deliver it to your local clerks office on or before Aug. 4. In-person voting will still be available for the 2020 Michigan Primary Election on Aug. 4, even amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

LANSING, Mich. Michigan's top election official is urging people with an absentee ballot to return it to their local clerk's office or drop box instead of using the mail to ensure it's counted in the Aug. 4 statewide primary. A ballot must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Night to be counted. Voters can return their ballot to the drop box in their city or township. Benson also said all absentee ballot requests should be made in person at the clerk's office. Absentee voting is on the rise following the approval of no-reason absentee voting in 2018 and is being emphasized as a safer option than in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2020 Michigan Primary Election is coming up on August 4 -- and if you plan to vote in person, it may be helpful to know what your ballot will look like ahead of time. Because the upcoming Michigan Primary Election focuses on supporting local representatives, ballots will significantly vary from district to district and county to county. Every Michigan ballot will, however, share the first line of candidates running for seats in the U.S. Congress (pictured below). A sample ballot for the Michigan primary election on August 4, 2020. Those who applied to receive an absentee ballot for the Michigan primary should have already received it in the mail.

The 2020 Michigan Primary Election is coming up on August 4 amid rising coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across the state. Face masks are not required to be worn when voting in person in Michigan, according to Gov. Michigan voters who feel uncomfortable voting in person amid the pandemic now have the option to vote by mail with an absentee ballot. The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May. Those who applied to receive an absentee ballot for the Michigan primary should have already received it in the mail.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan voters will decide in the November election if electronic data and communication should be considered personal property, safe from unreasonable search and seizure. The ballot measure would amend the Michigan constitution to include electronic data and electronic communications as items law enforcement would require a search warrant to access. Michigan is not the first state to try to legislate for reasonable cause and a search warrant to obtain electronic data. In a committee meeting in October, he said third-party companies can forward electronic data to law enforcement, avoiding the requirement of a warrant. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.”

The Michigan Presidential Primary Election is March 10, 2020. It’s a closed primary, with 147 delegates up for grabs, of which 125 are allocated based on results. While the presidential election is the main feature of the March 10 ballot, there are some other things, depending on where you live, that you’ll be deciding on. Presidential ballotWhile many candidates have exited the race for U.S. President, they’re still listed on the ballot in most states. Learn more: What to know before voting on March 10 (Check your own sample ballot here)Already voted absentee?

The Michigan Presidential Primary Election is March 10, 2020. It’s a closed primary, with 147 delegates up for grabs, of which 125 are allocated based on results. While the presidential election is the main feature of the March 10 ballot, there are some other things, depending on where you live, that you’ll be deciding on. Presidential ballotWhile many candidates have exited the race for U.S. President, they’re still listed on the ballot in most states. Learn more: What to know before voting on March 10 (Check your own sample ballot here)Already voted absentee?

Ohioans are voting on whether to legalize recreational marijuana, although some critics say the new law might only benefit the wealthy. CBS affiliate WBNS investigative reporter Nathan Baca discussed the controversial measure.