ELECTION NEWS FROM CLERK BETTY FORTINO

The Waterford Clerk's Office is accepting Applications for Poll Workers.

The Waterford Township School Board has established holding regular elections for Waterford School District on even-numbered year November election dates, with terms of six (6) years. Therefore, the next Waterford School election will be November 2010. Kudos to the Waterford School Board for making this decision. We admire their courage in being a leader on this issue, and hope that other school boards will follow their example.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I register to vote?
Registrations are taken at the Clerk’s Office during regular business hours. You also register to vote at any Secretary of State Office in Michigan. Waterford no longer has a local branch office of the Secretary of State. Please call (888) 767-6424 to locate a branch near you.

Where do I vote?
Your voting poll is shown on your voter ID card. Please contact the Clerk’s Office (248-674-6266), or visit the Clerk’s Web Page or the Michigan Voter Information Center or the Secretary of State’s Online Website to learn where your voting poll is.

How do I obtain an absentee ballot?
There is an application process to obtain an absentee ballot. Applications are available on line or by calling our office, (248) 674-6266. Qualifications for requesting an absentee ballot are: 60 years or older; unable to vote without assistance at the polls; expecting to be out of town on election day; in jail awaiting arraignment ; unable to attend the polls due to religion; appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your voting precinct.

Mail to:

Betty Fortino, Clerk
5200 Civic Center Drive
Waterford, MI 48329

OR FAX:

(248) 674-5455 

Your ballot will be mailed to any address you request the day we receive your signed application.

As you may have read in the newspaper, the law no longer allows us to automatically mail absentee ballot applications to everyone 60 years and older. Therefore, we are compiling a new mailing list. Please call our office if you would like to be on the list, (248) 674-6266.

What identification do I need to show at the polls?

New Voter Identification Requirement in Effect

Due to a recent court ruling, every Michigan voter who offers to vote in the polls must comply with the requirement by showing picture identification or signing an affidavit attesting that he or she is not in possession of picture identification. (See MCL 168.523 for picture identification requirement)

Voters with picture identification: Voters can satisfy the picture identification requirement by showing a Michigan driver’s license or a Michigan personal identification card.

Voters who do not possess either document may show any of the following forms of picture identification as long as they are current:

Voters without picture identification:
Michigan election law anticipates that not all voters will have picture identification. Voters who do not bring picture identification to the polls or do not possess picture identification can vote like any other voter by signing an affidavit.

Questions regarding the picture identification requirement can be directed to your local city or township clerk’s office.

For more election related FAQs and information, please visit www.michigan.gov/vote