With the presidential elections just weeks away, it has been wonderful to see the energy and enthusiasm surrounding our system of democracy. Voter registrations have poured into local clerks, our own Oakland County Elections Division and Secretary of State Offices across Michigan.

While some issues have arisen out of duplicate/inaccurate voter registrations - the goal of making sure that every citizen can celebrate their freedom by voting on Election Day is an important one.

The huge number of mail-in voter registrations, however, could present a challenge to some voters, especially college students. State law requires voters, under the age of 60, who registered by mail or who didn't register in person with their local clerk, county clerk or at a Secretary of State Office to vote in person the first time they cast their ballot so their identity can be verified.

As a result, first-time voters, those same college students, will not be able to vote by absentee ballot. Some may be forced to drive home from their college campuses on Election Day to vote locally, or, if they are unable to do so, be precluded from voting altogether. That is not acceptable.

There is a solution. Students who are already registered to vote may go into any Secretary of State Office this month to have their identity verified, allowing them to vote by absentee ballot.

Once their identity is verified, college students may request an absentee ballot from their local clerk. However, they need to leave sufficient time for their completed ballot to be returned to the clerk for processing by Election Day.

In other election issues, don't forget Michigan's Voter ID law, which asks all voters to show valid photo ID at the polls. If you forget your ID, don't worry, you will be allowed to sign an affidavit affirming your identity and will still get to cast your ballot.

This promises to be an exciting election and turnout may be very high. Voters may well see some lines at their precinct on Election Day, but know that your local city and township clerks are working very hard to make the system, with all of its safeguards, run with integrity and as smoothly as possible. Polling places, open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., will be busiest in the early morning and in the evening, so if you can adjust your schedule to vote in the late morning or early afternoon, you may find a shorter wait time.

We do have a new, free DVD available to first-time voters as well, explaining how easy it is to cast your ballot and what to expect at your local precinct on Election Day. For free copies, contact our Elections Division at (248) 858-0564. You can also easily access the video on our web site at www.oakgov.com/clerkrod.

Non-partisan information on the state ballot proposals is also available at our web site, where you will also be able to find Oakland County election results on Election night. After the polls close, as soon as we receive election results from cities and townships, they will be posted and continually updated throughout the evening.

Democracy demands participation. I would urge everyone to have their voice heard, their vote count, by casting their ballot on Nov. 4.

Ruth Johnson
Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds

FEB 2008
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MAY 2007
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Another waste of taxpayers dollars

MAY 2007
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