Township Clerks See Low Absentee Ballot Requests Ahead of Michigan's Presidential Primary

The Feb. 28 presidential primary election is less than a week away, and clerks in Scio, Dexter and Lima Townships are reporting high returns on absentee ballots.

Nancy Hedberg, Scio Township clerk, said 67 percent of the township's 508 absentee ballots have been submitted. She said of that number, several have come from residents living overseas or in the military.

"In the past, the number of ballots returned from overseas was smaller," she said.

Hedberg credits the change to the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act of 2009. The law eliminates a requirement of notarization for overseas ballots and requires all states to make voter registration and absentee ballot applications available electronically. The law also requires that all states make a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot available online for when official ballots don’t arrive in time.

"The folks in the military or overseas have been very diligent about voting, which is great," she said.

In contrast, Dexter Township Clerk Harley Rider said absentee ballot returns are historically low in the township.

According to information provided by the township, the clerk's office sent out 512 absent voter applications, with 315 returned requesting a ballot. Of the 315 ballots mailed, 236 have been returned as of Feb. 17.

"For this type of primary, turnout is generally very low," Rider said. "Most of the people with whom I've spoken see this election as a meaningless waste of tax dollars that will have no real impact on the actual candidate selection.

"Many people are upset that they have to ask for a Republican or Democratic ballot, thereby identifying their party preference, when both parties could have been on one ballot, just like in the August primary."

Rider said requiring voters to chose a ballot has actually discouraged voting among residents.

"I've talked to people who refuse to vote, just for that reason. I've talked with others (acknowledged Democrats) who say the will select a Republican ballot so they can vote for the least likely Republican candidate," he said.

The Lima Township Clerk's Office has only mailed 85 absentee ballots, which Clerk Arlene Bareis said is typical in a primary election.

"People get more energized during the general election," she said.

Saturday is the last day to request an absentee ballot application to be mailed. Voters still can request an absentee ballot, but must vote in-person, through 4 p.m. on Feb. 27. There are no local issues on the ballot.