JUNE 22, 2006

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land reminds Michigan residents that Monday, July 10 is the deadline for registering to vote in the Aug. 8 primary election.

"The right to vote is something we must never take for granted," said Land, the state’s chief election officer. "Our country was founded on the principle of a representative government in which the people have a voice. It is extremely important that everyone who is eligible to vote exercise their right to cast a ballot."

To register, applicants must be 18 years old by Election Day, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Michigan and the city or township in which they are applying.

Residents can register at their county, city or township clerk’s office, at any Secretary of State branch office, or by completing a mail-in voter registration form. Mail-in forms may be obtained from county and local clerks. Forms are also available on the Secretary of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos.

Residents who register by mail must vote in person in the first election in which they participate unless they are age 60 or older, temporarily residing overseas, or disabled as defined by law. Residents who have never voted in Michigan and register by mail may also be subject to identification requirements under federal law.

In a partisan primary, votes must be cast for only one political party. Casting votes in a partisan primary for both Republican and Democratic candidates invalidates the partisan section of the ballot.

Absentee ballots are available to eligible residents at city or township clerk’s offices through 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 7. Absentee ballots may be obtained by mail by submitting a signed ballot request to the city or township clerk no later than 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5.

Voters may obtain an absentee ballot if they expect to be away from their city or township on Election Day, are 60 years of age or older, are in jail awaiting trial or arraignment, unable to attend the polls for religious reasons, or are physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another person.

Land also reminded those voting by absentee ballot that:

• Only the voter, a member of the voter’s immediate family or someone residing in the voter’s household may return the voter’s completed absentee ballot to the clerk’s office. Absentee ballots may also be returned by mail. An assistant from the clerk’s office is also authorized to pick up the ballot if none of the other options are available.
• Voters residing in nursing homes, senior centers and other assisted-living facilities should know that it is illegal to vote in a group setting. Avoid any meetings in which you are asked to join with other residents of your building or members of your organization to vote at the same time.
• If someone assists you in completing your ballot, review your choices to make sure the ballot was marked as you directed. The person marking the ballot on your behalf must sign the ballot’s return envelope stating that he or she assisted you.

For additional information, contact your city or township clerk or visit the department’s Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos. While online, voters are also encouraged to check out the Secretary of State Voter Information Center. It provides voters with election-related information, including polling place locations, voter registration status, how to use voting equipment, campaign finance reports and more.