Early voting begins Saturday, July 25, in Oakland County communities for nine days. To help alleviate wait times at early voting sites, county Clerk Lisa Brown will implement “express lanes” for voters who return their absentee ballots to their early voting site for tabulation.
“We are continually looking for ways to improve the voter experience whenever possible,” said Brown. “Express lanes for voters who bring their absentee ballot to their early voting site is just one additional improvement we’ve made this year.”
Voters with an absentee ballot can also hand deliver it in its signed and sealed envelope to their local clerk’s office or their community’s secure ballot drop box. Ballots must be received by clerks no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
“In August elections, we see more spoiled ballots than other elections, so I also want to remind people not to cross over party lines on your primary ballot,” said Brown. “Feeding your absentee ballot through the tabulator yourself at your early voting site gives you the opportunity to correct any mistakes on the spot. You’ve taken the time to fill out your ballot – make sure your vote counts.”
Voters can track their absentee ballot, find their clerk’s office, view a sample ballot, and find other useful voting-related information at the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote.