VOTERS

Local officials recently released the number of voters and absentee ballots collected in Tree Town during Michigan’s general election on Nov. 8, 2022.

Black voters have been a steady foundation for Democratic candidates for decades, but that support appeared to show a few cracks in this year’s elections.

Ann Arborites have approved a new millage that will boost sustainable and clean energy initiatives over the next 20 years.

The final vote in Ann Arbor was cast at 2 a.m. the morning after the midterm election began.

The sheriff in metropolitan Phoenix says he’s stepped up security around ballot drop boxes after a series of incidents involving people keeping watch on the boxes and taking video of voters after they were apparently inspired by lies about the 2020 election.

Voters in several Southeast Michigan counties appear to be favoring Democratic candidates for the upcoming election, according to a new WDIV/Detroit News poll, but the numbers are fairly close.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

A question on Michigan’s November ballot asking voters to put the right to an abortion in the state constitution could draw more left-leaning voters to the polls and boost Democrats’ power in the battleground state.

As a final formality, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers convened Friday to certify two ballot proposals to appear on the November ballot after being ordered to do so by the state’s high court.

A majority of Michigan voters “strongly disagree” with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the 1973 landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade, according to a new WDIV/Detroit News poll.

Do Michigan voters want a new governor? A different president?

Michigan voters can now request an absent voter ballot for the Nov. 8, 2022, general election.

TheRide’s 2.38 mil property tax aims to improve and expand public transit service in the area.

There is pushback in the efforts to get ballots printed in Arabic for Dearborn voters and it’s coming from Wayne County Clerk Kathy Garrett.

Yet another lawsuit is being filed over Michigan’s new district maps that would draw new lines for voters for the next 10 years.

Michigan voters are in favor of indoor mask mandates, but not for requiring COVID-19 vaccinations, according to a new WDIV/Detroit News poll.

Watch live coverage as President Biden and Vice President Harris deliver remarks on their efforts to pass legislation to protect the constitutional right to vote and the integrity of our elections.

U-M students voted in record-breaking numbers during the 2020 election despite the global pandemic.

Michigan’s Secretary of State spoke candidly about the push for new election laws just one day before Michigan voters head to the polls.

Tuesday (Nov. 2) is Election Day, but it’s well known that turnout tends to lag during off-year battles. That’s even more reason to make your voice heard.

Voters with disabilities often face many barriers when trying to cast their ballot.

Lawmakers from both parties are asking Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to investigate after a meeting of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission held a closed session.

The citizens commission tasked with redrawing Michigan’s political maps received an email death threat on Wednesday (Oct. 27). The death threats did not target a specific individual.

The process surrounding redrawing Michigan’s political maps has been anything but easy. On Tuesday parties on both sides of the aisle responded.

About half of the first demolition funds awarded following a bond proposal approved by Detroit voters have gone to Black-owned businesses based in the city.

Republicans said the 39-bill package is needed to bolster election security, while Democrats said they’re voter suppression. Clerks said nobody even asked them.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson pushed for sweeping changes to the state’s elections on Monday. There could be some changes coming to Election Day itself. He said making Election Day a holiday to make it easier to vote and volunteer is also part of the legislative agenda. Such as requiring absentee ballot applications be mailed to every registered voter, allowing clerks to start processing ballots two weeks before Election Day and allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day or just after to be counted. She also called on Republicans, without naming them, who have been spreading falsehoods about the state’s election process to stop.

In the latest filing, the attorney for Wayne County, Robert Davis, called on the federal judge in Michigan’s Eastern District to sanction lawyers for six Michigan Trump supporters suing Gov. Sanctions for Michigan AG, Secretary of StateTuesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also said her office along with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will likely file sanctions of their own to get attorneys such as Powell banned from state courtrooms. That attorney, Matthew DePerno, has been a frequent guest of the far-right outlet Newsmax, a recent favorite of President Trump’s. The case is still ongoing in state court. The suit alleges that by allowing a state’s executive branch to certify a presidential election instead of state legislatures, it violates the constitution.

Results from a survey of Michigan voters at the beginning of December suggest residents are terribly concerned about the state’s economy with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting their household finances. The Detroit Regional Chamber (DRC) said it conducted this statewide survey of 600 registered Michigan voters between Nov. 30 and Dec. 4, 2020. 58% of Michigan voters say that COVID-19 is affecting their household finances. Gretchen Whitmer:63.3% of Michigan voters believe Gov. On Michigan Legislature:29.0% of Michigan voters say the state’s legislative leaders are doing everything they can to get the pandemic under control.

Gretchen Whitmer -- 63.3% of Michigan voters believe Whitmer is aggressively working on getting the pandemic under control and protecting public health, according to the survey results. The Detroit Regional Chamber (DRC) said it conducted this statewide survey of 600 registered Michigan voters between Nov. 30 and Dec. 4, 2020. 60.3% believe the threat of COVID-19 has been balanced or downplayed, compared to 33.8% who believe the threat has been exaggerated. On the economy:83.7% of Michigan voters believe the state’s economy is worse now than before the pandemic hit. Gretchen Whitmer:63.3% of Michigan voters believe Gov.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)This map shows data for preliminary voter turnout for the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election across the United States. VIEW: State-by-state presidential race results for Nov. 3, 2020 General Election

Local 4′s Mara MacDonald and Priya Mann were out at polling locations in Metro Detroit to keep tabs on what the atmosphere was like on the evening the night of Election Day. View their reports in the video above and the video below. Mara MacDonald was in Oakland County where voting seemed to be moving swiftly. Priya Mann was in Macomb County at a busy election site in Warren.

It was false information and an attempt to suppress voters on Election Day. READ: Michigan officials warn voters about spread of misinformation on Election DayMichigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson issued warnings to voters after receiving reports of false information being spread on Election Day. It will help you figure out if you’re registered to vote, where to go and where your local clerk’s office is located. Michigan allows same-day voter registration -- that means you can register to vote on Election Day. If you request the ballot on Election Day you have to vote immediately while in the clerk’s office.

DETROIT – Election Day is here. In Michigan, the last minute push for votes continued with Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris making a stop in Detroit. Although millions have already cast their ballots, many across the country and in Michigan waited until Election Day to fill in the bubble for their candidate. On Tuesday, Local 4 spoke to both Vice President Mike Pence and Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris as they appealed one last time to voters in Michigan. READ: Complete Election Day coverageWhy would you make yourself available to voters?

ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan’s central campus was fairly calm after the polls opened on Tuesday. Save for a small line at the Michigan League at 7:30 a.m., students were still only trickling in to polling places on campus by late morning. According to Michigan’s Secretary of State, 7,067 new voters had registered as of Oct. 26 in the city of Ann Arbor. Sophomore Ali Chesnick campaigns for Joe Biden on the University of Michigan Diag on Nov. 3, 2020. It is definitely something I would recommend for the future, even after coronavirus.”Local children hand out free snacks to voters on University of Michigan's campus on Nov. 3, 2020.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson issued warnings to voters after receiving reports of false information being spread on Election Day. “Don’t fall for it, it’s a trick,” Nessel said. [AG ELECTION ALERT]: Dearborn voters, text messages are reportedly being sent to trick you into thinking there are ballot sensor issues. Michigan allows same-day voter registration -- that means you can register to vote on Election Day. If you request the ballot on Election Day you have to vote immediately while in the clerk’s office.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – President Donald Trump makes his last few stops in Michigan on Monday one day before Election Day. The president held a rally in Traverse City early in the day and then a late night rally in Grand Rapids. “We want the same result as we had four years ago from Michigan,” Trump said in Traverse City. “I’m asking you to go tomorrow and vote for a person named President Trump.”READ: With post-election lawsuits looming, a final push for votesREAD: President Donald Trump’s campaign focuses on Michigan ahead of Election DayVice President Mike Pence spoke in Grand Rapids Monday night ahead of the president. “We’re here tonight for the same reason you are... And that is Michigan and American need four more years of President Donald Trump in the White House,” Pence said.

DETROIT – Election officials are getting a head start inside Detroit’s TCF Center on Monday -- opening envelopes, matching ballots and voters and logging them into the state system, and setting the ballots aside to be counted on Tuesday’s Election Day. As of Monday, more than 2.6 million absentee votes have been returned statewide with at least another 700,000 expected to arrive by Tuesday. On Sunday, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said that it won’t be up to anyone except the state. “Candidates don’t get to choose who wins an election, the voters do. And myself and the 1,500 clerks and 83 county clerks all across the state will be vigilantly committed to counting every ballot vote,” Benson said.

We understand documenting that you’ve voted is important to a lot of people — especially when you get that “I Voted” sticker. You should be proud of yourself for casting your vote, but know that there are strict rules in some places when it comes to taking pictures at polling places. Because of that, voters should wait until they are more than that distance from the location. Voters should always practice courtesy and common sense, and you can always ask a poll worker to specify what the rules are. When in doubt, just wait until you’re back in your car to snap that “I Voted” sticker selfie.

Election day has arrived, and Local 4 spoke with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to answer some of the most important questions that are still causing confusion for some residents. Election 2020: How WDIV reports election resultsYou can read Nessel’s answers to these questions below. Any form of intimidation or harassment at a polling place is a felony. What should I do if I encounter someone at my polling place who makes me feel unsafe? Are we going to see final results of the Michigan vote on election night?

With one day left until Election Day on Nov. 3, more people from both campaign teams are showing up in Michigan, aiming to gather as many votes as possible. President Trump stopped in Washington Township Sunday, holding a rally at Total Sports Park. READ: Both presidential campaigns prioritize Michigan ahead of Election DayREAD: Michigan Election 2020: How to find your voting precinctFormer President Barack Obama, Vice President Mike Pence, former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden and even Gov. In the meantime, Trump and Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden are both planning to campaign leading up to Tuesday. On Monday, Trump is preparing for his final two stops in Traverse City and Grand Rapids -- Grand Rapids was the final stop on Trump’s campaign trail back in 2016.

DETROIT – Cars packed Belle Isle Saturday for the drive-in rally held by Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden with former President Barack Obama. READ: Presidential candidates make final push for Michigan last weekend before Election DaySome people who attended addressed certain issues. On Sunday, Trump will hold a rally at 11 a.m. in Washington Township at Total Sports Park. Then on Monday, the president will be in Traverse City before holding a 10:30 p.m. rally at the Grand Rapids based Gerald R. Ford International Airport. READ: US judge orders USPS to speed up election ballot delivery in DetroitWatch the full report in the video above.

ANN ARBOR – Leaders in Washtenaw County issued a joint statement on Friday morning expressing concern over safety as voters drop off their ballots and head to the polls on Tuesday. The contentious environment surrounding the election and its aftermath, as well as feedback from community leaders, has the group worried about what voters might experience this election. The statement was issued by the Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Milan, Northfield, Saline, Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University and University of Michigan police departments, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Washtenaw County, Michigan State Police and Rep. Debbie Dingell. "To that end, please note the following;• Washtenaw County Clerk, Larry Kestenbaum has consulted with all of the local election officials to ensure voting integrity. • Local law enforcement leaders in consultation with the municipal and township elected/appointed leaders have developed strategies that support post-election community safety.

DETROIT – There are only a few days left until Election Day on November 3. City clerk Janice Winfrey spoke out Thursday, encouraging people to get out and vote in the upcoming presidential election. “We want every voter to show up and vote in this election,” Winfrey said. Voting lines could also be longer than usual on Election Day, as the state anticipates a record turnout of voters. President Donald Trump has called out Benson before, saying he is concerned about the election in Michigan and the integrity of the election process.

When news of the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer broke earlier this month, it made international headlines. In an exclusive Local 4/The Detroit News poll, we asked Michigan voters: Was the plot to kidnap Gov. The results: 77% of Michigan voters take that plot seriously and don’t think it was just talk -- a defense being used by attorneys representing the men accused in the plot. 14.7% of polled Michigan voters thought that the alleged domestic terror plot was just talk, while 8.1% of voters said that they “don’t know." The poll also asked Michigan voters how worried they are about militia groups in Michigan, which have been active for years in the state.

TROY, Mich. – With one week until Election Day there are new exclusive poll numbers on the race for Michigan and how the pandemic is impacting voters. The new poll numbers also highlight the perceptions of the president versus the governor on COVID-19. The percentage of voters who approve of the president’s COVID strategy are those who essentially support him for president. Michigan voters continue to support Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, while disapproving of President Donald Trump’s, according to a new WDIV/Detroit News poll.

The new survey asked Michigan voters for their feelings on the 2020 presidential race, key issues, and on Gov. Whitmer approval remains strongWhitmer is seen favorably by 54.0% of Michigan voters and unfavorably by 37.3% of Michigan voters. Voters disapprove of Trump pandemic responseBy a margin of 38.6% approve to 54.5% disapprove, Michigan voters sharply disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the pandemic. 50.7% -- a majority of Michigan voters – STRONGLY DISAPPROVE of President Trump’s handling of the pandemic. Voters disapprove of President Trump’s job performance by a margin of 43.7% approve to 52.1% disapprove.

Though Louisiana won’t be handing out “I Voted” stickers at the polls this year, we can’t help but highlight its award-winning design. Clark County, NevadaPersonifying Las Vegas in a creative sticker, Clark County takes into account the familiar details that make its area known in its 'I Voted' sticker. Alaska Division of ElectionsAlaska has various options of its 'I Voted' sticker for 2020 elections and they each pay homage to women and its native communities. Alaska redesigned its “I Voted” sticker in time to celebrate the 19th Amendment’s centennial. The artwork takes a twist from traditional “I Voted" sticker designs with a call to action instead, asking anyone reading to go out and vote.

DETROIT – All eyes are on the city of Detroit ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election. Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said things will be different this time around. Winfrey has been city clerk since 2005. “Our issues in August stemmed from the lack of poll workers that we were able to recruit from. She believes that she has done a “better than good” job in her years as city clerk.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of State announced Wednesday it will be providing resources to educate Michiganders facing homelessness about their voting rights. The outreach includes an online toolkit curated to provide accurate information about homelessness and voting, a webinar hosted in partnership with the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness and voter registration drives at shelters. "Our work to provide resources and information to voters in this community will help ensure they can vote with confidence that their ballot will count.”A new toolkit will dispel misconceptions and provide accurate voting information and guidance for homeless individuals. The department joined with the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness to promote voter education and registration. As part of this partnership, MDOS will join the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness and Communities First, Inc. to host a webinar aimed at educating homelessness advocacy organizations in how to assist their clients with voter registration, early voting and getting to the polls on Election Day.

The focus is on in-person voting and keeping Michigan voters safe from COVID-19 and possible harassment or intimidation while people wait in line to cast their ballot. “My understanding is that Michigan State Police are going to enforce the (open carry) ban anywhere that local law enforcement is unable or unwilling to do so,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The Local 4 Defenders asked if any credible threats of violence have been made, or are state and local officials seeing evidence of voter intimidation to keep voters from polls? “The role that voters have asked me to play as the chief election officer is to enforce the law in this way and ensure they are protected on Election Day,” Benson said. Will banning open carry invite open carry protests for law enforcement to deal with?

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is urging absentee voters to hand-deliver ballots to their local election clerk’s office or ballot drop boxes. “Voters who already have their absentee ballot should hand-deliver it to their city or township election clerk’s office or ballot drop box. Citizens can register to vote at their local clerk’s office through Nov. 3, they need to bring proof of residency. Voters should click here to find their local clerk’s office, drop box locations or track their absentee ballot. As of Monday, more than 1.5 million Michigan citizens already cast absentee ballots and nearly 3 million had requested them.

DETROIT – Bus loads of Black men, boys and seniors from Detroit descended on the National Mall for the Million Man March 25 years ago. Around 1.7 million Black men registered to vote after the Million Man March. Now, some of the men who attended on that historic day in Washington are urging young Black men to keep the same energy. Governor Garlin Gilchrist talked about the power of the Black vote and how Black men need to make sure their voices are heard. It’s now impossible to estimate the number of people who attended the original Million Man March.

In a recent poll for Local 4 and the Detroit News, pollster Richard Czuba was asked about what’s driving Black voters. “African American voters, Black voters in Michigan, very strongly are coming in on the side of pre-existing conditions. Czuba asked Black voters how motivated they are to vote in November. “We’re now seeing Black voters in Michigan at a 9.5. According to the poll, 35 percent of Black voters in Michigan plan on voting absentee -- if they haven’t already.

But are Michigan voters required to wear face masks to the polls? The answer is no, Michigan voters are not required to wear face masks while voting in person for the General Election on November 3. 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.

DETROIT – Secretary of State mailings are expected to register more than 100,000 citizens as voters, based on current responses to the letters and upcoming registration deadlines. “Michigan citizens want to vote. These mailers invited recipients to register to vote by going online or by returning the enclosed card to the Secretary of State. Approximately 130,000 of the citizens who received a letter conducted a transaction at a Secretary of State branch office after automatic voter registration was required by the state constitution but before it had been implemented. Together, these programs are on track to result in more than 100,000 newly registered Michigan citizens, based on voters who registered online, registered by returning the mailing, or are being registered automatically.

Today, WDIV and The Detroit News are releasing the first results of a new survey taken days after the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. The Glengariff Group, Inc. conducted a Michigan statewide survey of November 2020 likely general election voters. The 600 sample, live operator telephone survey was conducted on September 30-October 3, 2020 and has a margin of error of +/-4.0% with a 95% level of confidence. 50.0% of respondents were contacted via landline telephone. 50.0% of respondents were contacted via cell phone telephone.

LANSING, Mich. – The 2020 Election is Nov. 3, but in Michigan you can cast your vote starting Thursday. Early and absentee voting is officially underway in Michigan. “We want you to wear your mask and bring your form of ID so you can cast your ballot,” Whitmer said. “Secretary Benson and Clerk Winfrey are working very closely to ensure that this election runs smoothly," Whitmer said. We want to ensure that Michigan voices get counted.”

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.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continues to have strong support from Michigan voters amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a new WDIV/Detroit News poll shows. About 59 percent of Michigan voters approve of the job Gov. 96 percent of Black voters approve of her performance; 52 percent of white voters approve. Voters back Whitmers pandemic response61 percent of Michigan voters support Gov.

The Trump campaign in Michigan has reached nearly half of Michigans population in the effort to reelect the President, according to a release from the campaign sent Monday. Related: Trump puts spotlight on crime rates in American cities including DetroitGustafson said the campaign defines voters engaged as total calls and doors knocked, not including text messages. In response to the Trump campaigns voter outreach the Biden campaign touted its plan to reach voters virtually. Were running a active, energetic campaign that is directly engaging Michiganders in evert single part of the state while ensuring the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and Michigan voters, Biden For President Michigan State Director Eric Hyers said. A staffer with the Biden campaign also said they have 2000 organizers currently working on the campaign.

The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for this years August and November elections. Michigan voters who have already requested an absent voter ballot for the November election can begin receiving their ballot up to 40 days prior to Election Day -- which is September 24. If youre hoping to vote absentee in Michigan for the 2020 General Election but have not yet requested an absent voter ballot, dont worry -- you still have time. You can apply to receive an absent voter ballot on the states website right here. To check on the status of an absent voter ballot application, registered Michigan voters are encouraged to contact their city or township clerks office directly.

The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for this years August and November elections. 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. Returning your completed Michigan absent voter ballotCompleted absent voter ballots for the 2020 General Election must be received by your local clerks office by 8 p.m. on November 3. Packaging your absent voter ballot once its completedOnce youve filled out your Michigan absent voter ballot for the 2020 General Election, place it inside of the brightly-colored secrecy sleeve that it was initially presented in.

Help Me Hank is tracking a new election scam thats targeting voters in key swing states, including Michigan. Its a key state for both sides, but now a new election scam is targeting Michigan voters, including those in Metro Detroit. Melanie Duquesnel, of the Better Business Bureau, is tracking the robocall scam. Voters think theyre getting a recorded call from politicians asking for a donation. In reality, the calls have been edited using the candidates actual words and splicing them together to make people think theyre asking for credit card or personal information.

Applying for a Michigan absentee ballotAll registered Michigan voters now have the option to vote by mail using absent voter ballots. Those who applied to receive an absentee ballot for the Michigan primary should have already received it in the mail. Filling out an absentee ballot for the 2020 Michigan Primary ElectionIts important to be cautious and follow directions exactly when filling out a Michigan absentee ballot in order for it to be counted on election day. Inside of your official Michigan absent voter ballot envelope is a brightly-colored secrecy sleeve containing your absentee ballot. Note: 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. The Michigan Department of States Bureau of Elections has launched an online platform to provide voters with another method of digitally submitting their absent voter ballot application at Michigan.gov/Vote. Clerks will be alerted of the request and be able to see the application and signature. After verification, local clerks are then able to mail the ballot to the voter within the appropriate timeframe for the election theyve requested to vote absentee. Voters must sign the ballot return envelope and the signature must be verified and matched to the voters record for the ballot to be counted. To fill out an online application, registered voters can visit Michigan.gov/Vote and click Apply for an Absent Voter Ballot Online.READ MORE ELECTION COVERAGE:

DETROIT – If Michigan voters were asked to uphold the state's emergency manager law today, they would by a 20-point margin. According to a survey commissioned by WDIV, and the Detroit News, 53 percent of Michigan voters support keeping Public Act 4 and 33 percent do not. View: EXCLUSIVE SURVEY: Looking ahead to November electionRepublican voters joined by independent voters to represent that 53 percent. Voters not showing support for collective bargaining proposalA union push called Protect Our Jobs, which asks Michigan voters to change the state's Constitution to guarantee collective bargaining rights, is polling at just 55.2 percent support, according to the survey. The other proposal showing support, according to the survey, is the home health care proposal with 62.3 percent of respondents supporting it.