Local clerks like it when people register to vote, and advocacy groups have generated lots of mail-in registration forms in anticipation of the Nov. 2 election.
Those who have registered by mail may be disappointed, however, if they try to vote by absentee ballot. State law prohibits first-time voters from voting absentee unless they are legally disabled, 60 years of age or older or out of the country.
Some advocacy groups have not mentioned this, and local clerks would like to head off any confusion.
‘If they completed the mail-in registration at college, they cannot vote absentee,? said Springfield Township Clerk Nancy Strole. ‘We don’t have a choice. It’s state law.?
Independence Township Clerk Joan McCrary echoed the concern, noting an estimated 150 new voter registrations by mail this year. All are not necessarily college students, but McCrary said the state law applies to all first-time voters.
While it doesn’t constitute fraud, McCrary believes those promoting mail-in registration simply aren’t telling the whole story to would-be voters.
‘I think the people don’t know Michigan law,? she said. The result, however, is ‘They are doing a big disservice.?
At issue is the verification of a voter’s signature, a crucial element of the Qualified Voter File, used to help guard against election fraud. Signatures must be witnessed by a member of the clerk’s staff or (at the polls) by an election worker. For this reason, a first-time voter is required to vote in person if they have registered by mail.
‘We have to see them in person,? McCrary said.
Although the deadline to register was Monday, Oct. 4, Strole said she and her staff will try to help people with this potential obstacle. Those who have registered by mail are invited to visit the township clerk’s office to fill out a signature card prior to the election.
Strole suggested that college students attempt to do this during a visit home.
‘I’ll try to make arrangements for them,? she said.
McCrary said she is concerned about the fallout, because the clerks may have to deal with double the complaints concerning college students.
‘We get the calls from parents, too,? she said.
In Independence Township, call the clerk’s office at (248) 625-5111, ext. 203. In Springfield Township, call (248) 846-6510.