Need to Know: Voting in Michigan's Presidential Primary

Michigan's Presidential Primary is less than a week away, and though no local issues will be settled on the ballot, Bloomfield area election officials said they expect a strong showing at the polls and in absentee ballot returns.

A steady stream of televesion and radio advertising and campaign visits across the state has kept interest high in the race for the GOP nomination, which could become clearer or muddier still after next Tuesday.

Bloomfield Township Clerk Jan Roncelli said her department processed roughly 5,800 absentee ballot requests and expect more in the few days remaining. Anticipating at least 70 percent of those ballots to be returned, Roncelli said she expects an overall voter turnout of about 40 percent.

That's on par with the 2008 Presidential Primary Election, where 39.5 percent of the township's registered vters cast ballots. Bloomfield Hills native and current front-runner Mitt Romney took that election with nearly 57 percent of the vote, more than double the total of his closest opponent, eventual nominee Sen. John McCain.

Hillary Clinton won with 52 percent of the vote on the Democratic party.

Democrats will also have the chance to vote Feb. 28, though President Barack Obama is the only name on the ballot.

Where to go?

Bloomfield Township

Roncelli said all 32 polling precincts in the township will be open and staffed for the day. For a map and comprehensive list of Bloomfield Township polling precincts, consult the attached PDF, or visit the clerk's website. Sample ballots by respective precincts are also available here.

Bloomfield Hills

Both city precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on primary election day.

• Precinct 1: City Hall, 45 E. Long Lake Road
• Precinct 2: Congregational Church of Birmingham, 1000 Cranbrook Road

Absentee ballot applications are available online at the city clerk's website, and will be issued until 4 p.m. Monday. Sample ballots for the primary are available here.

General information

Whether you vote absentee or in person, here's what you need to know going into the Feb. 28 presidential primary.

• Voters must be registered with their respective municipality at least 30 days prior to the election. They must also be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old and a resident of Bloomfield Township or Bloomfield Hills for at least 30 days.
• Polls will be open and staffed from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.
• Voters need to bring their photo identification to the polls. If they do not have one, they will be asked to complete an affidavit.
• There will be at least two ballot styles: Republican and Democrat, and voters will have the option to choose. They must do so in writing and will indicate their ballot style on the Application to Vote.
• The ballot style selection (Democrat or Republican) will be recorded in Michigan's Qualified Voter File for 22 months, and will be available via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Voting absentee

If you are unable to vote without assistance, 60 years old or older, expect to be absent on election day or unable to vote on Feb. 28 for any other reason, you can apply for an absentee ballot. Here's what you need to know:

• You can apply for an absentee ballot at the city clerk's office in person (between 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.), by mail (at the address below), fax or request a ballot by phone.
• The clerk's office will also be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 and from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Feb. 25 to process absentee ballot requests.
• Absentee ballots will be issued until 4 p.m. the Monday before the election.
• All ballots must be returned to the clerk's office by 8 p.m. on election day. If you're curious, track your absentee ballot with the Oakland County Absentee Ballot Tracker.

Bloomfield Township Clerk's Office

• Phone: 248-433-7702
• Fax: 248-642-7610
• Email: clerk@bloomfieldtwp.org
  
• Address: 4200 Telegraph Rd., P.O. Box 489

Bloomfield Hills City Clerk's Office

• Phone: 248-644-1520
• Email: aburton@bloomfieldhillsmi.net
  
• Address: 45 E. Long Lake Rd.