Absentee Ballot & Permanent Voter Ballot List Application Mailed to All City Voters
The Absentee Ballot and Permanent Ballot List Application has been mailed to all City voters for the November 7, 2023 election.
As of 2018, all registered voters in Michigan may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. In 2022, Michigan voters gave themselves the right to join a Permanent Absentee Ballot List. Joining the Permanent Absentee Ballot List allows voters to complete an application once and receive an absentee ballot for all elections moving forward. If a registered voter moves within the State of Michigan, and updates their voter registration address, the status on the Permanent Absentee Ballot List will remain. In the past, voters were required to complete an absentee ballot application for each election in which they desired to receive an absentee ballot.
"I’m glad voters in Michigan gave themselves additional rights to provide a more accessible and inclusive voting system in Michigan. We are pleased to provide increased opportunities for Traverse City residents to exercise their right to vote,” says Benjamin Marentette, City Clerk.
Proposal 22-2 amended the Michigan Constitution to add several provisions regarding elections, including:
- Recognize fundamental right to vote without harassing conduct
- Require military or overseas ballots be counted if postmarked by election day and received by the local clerk within six days following the election
- Provide voter right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement
- Provide voter right to single application to vote absentee in all elections
- Require state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes, and postage for absentee applications and ballots
- Provide that only election officials may conduct post-election audits
- Require a minimum of nine days of early in-person voting for all statewide elections
- Allow donations to fund elections, which must be disclosed
- Require canvass boards certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast.
The State of Michigan has been preparing for changes related to the above provisions. However, the provision for nine days of early in-person voting will not be put into effect for the November 7, 2023, election.