Frankenmuth

Even though we are months away, we are already receiving calls and questions about voting this November. We spent some time with Frankenmuth City Clerk Phil Kerns asking him the questions we've received. Q: What is the difference between "vote by mail" and absentee voting? It's the same thing. There is no difference, it's just a different phrase. Q: How do I get an absentee ballot? The first step is to get an application for an absentee ballot. You can get an application by calling the City, coming to the offices during regular office hours or applying on online at Michigan.gov/vote You can get an application for anyone – your spouse, neighbor, your mother in law, etc. Once you receive your application you need to review it, complete it and sign and date it. If you are not going to be residing at your address where you are registered (college student, snow bird) you must provide the address at which you will reside when you receive the ballot. The Post Office will NOT forward a ballot. Applications can be returned by anyone, and they can be returned by fax, by email, by mail or dropped off in person in a drop box at the City offices. Once the City receives the application, we verify the signature on the application for a ballot matches your driver's license signature. Sometimes that means that you may get a phone call if we think the signatures don't look similar. Then you are put on a list for a ballot once they are received. Ballots typically are issued (meaning mailed to absentee voters) toward the end of September due to requirements for printing and testing requirements. Right now, the City has received more than 1400 requests for absentee ballots. Once you receive your ballot in the mail, pay close attention to the instructions. When you vote in person and make an error on your ballot (for example, if you vote for two candidates for one office), the tabulator will alert you and precinct workers that there is an error and you then have the opportunity to revote. We estimated that for the August primary ballot, approximately 10% of the absentee ballots returned had portions of the ballot that were invalidated due to errors and therefore could not be counted. Take your time to carefully read the instructions and vote accordingly. You can track your absentee ballot by going to Michigan. gov/vote Q: Can I still register to vote? Yes. You can register in person or you can register at Michigan.gov/vote Within 15 days of the date of the election, you must visit the Clerk's office in person in order to register. Q: Who can get my ballot? Only you – it must be picked up in person or delivered via US mail. You cannot pick up any one else's ballot even though you can pick up their application. On Saturday, October 31, your local clerk (community's within the Frankenmuth School District) will be available from 8am to 4pm to receive applications for absentee ballots and issue ballots. We urge you to plan in advance if you need a ballot. Q. How do I return my ballot? Ballots must be returned by first class US Mail, in person or by placing it in the drop boxes at the City Township Governmental Center. Absentee ballots must be received by 8 pm on election day in order to be counted. If you think you spoiled (made a mistake) your ballot, please contact your clerk so they can assist you. Q: What should I double check before mailing in/returning ballot? • Make sure you sign and date the envelope • Allow plenty of time (no less than ten days) if you are returning the ballot by mail • Only use a blue or black pen when voting the ballot. Complete the oval. Do not use a check mark, an x, an underline, etc. Only fill in the oval to ensure a positive vote. • There are 3 portions to a typical November ballot – Partisan, Non Partisan, and Proposals. Make sure you look on the reverse side of the ballot to see all the ballot. • For this ballot in November – straight party voting will be an option. But that is allowed to be overridden for partisan offices. What that means is if you normally vote for Party A, but you really like the Party B candidate for County Dog Catcher, you can still select that candidate and it won't effect the other offices. The City of Frankenmuth Absentee Voter Ballot Counting Board from the August Primary Election. Workers take great care in segregating their duties to ensure that inner and outer envelopes and voter secrecy is completely preserved. From (Right to Left): Barb Zeilinger, Pat Murphy, Betty Bush, Connie Nuechterlain and Dru Deterding. Q&A with the City Clerk 4

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