With One Month To Go, Grand Rapids Clerk's Office Prepares Voters For Election Day

Press release from the City of Grand Rapids:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In just four weeks the Grand Rapids City Clerk’s Office will host one of the most consequential and anticipated election days in recent memory. Record voter registration, expanded voting rights, the presidential election, and state and local ballot initiatives are driving interest in this year’s election. While administering a Presidential Election is an enormous task for the Clerk’s Office, conducting an election during a global pandemic is even more challenging.

Despite the increased demand for service, City Clerk Joel Hondorp says, “Our office is energized, excited and ready for election day. We’re working diligently to make sure every vote is counted securely and safely.”

Hondorp hopes voters share his office’s enthusiasm in the same way and prepare in advance of Election Day, November 3. The Clerk’s Office and the City’s 311 Customer Service Center field dozens of questions daily about voter registration deadlines, absentee ballots, safety protocols at the precinct and other related voter questions. Based on those frequently asked questions, he offers the following election information to help the community prepare for election day:

Voter Registration Information

To take part in the November 3 general election Grand Rapids residents must be registered to vote. If not currently registered, the last day to do so by mail, online or at a Secretary of State Branch is October 19. Beginning October 20 until and including Election Day, residents need to register at the Clerk’s Office. The Clerk’s Office is located on the 2nd Floor of City Hall – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday – (parking validated in the Government Ramp) or at Election Central on the 2nd Floor of 201 Market Avenue, SW – noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Extended Office Hours

As a courtesy to electors wishing to register to vote or apply for their absentee ballot in person, the Clerk’s Office will offer extended office hours on:

• Every Tuesday and Thursday in October – 5 to 7 p.m. – City Hall and Election Central
• Sunday, October 11 – Noon to 5 p.m. – New Hope Baptist Church, 130 Delaware, SW
• Sunday, October 25 – Noon to 5 p.m. – City Hall, 300 Monroe, NW
• Saturday, October 31 – 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. – City Hall and Election Central

What’s on the Ballot

As a reminder, the November 3 ballot will include three sections on the two-sided ballot, which are the Partisan, Non-Partisan, and Proposal sections. The straight party option is available again on this November’s ballot. Voters may select a party and will select all the candidates for that party in the partisan section. Voters also have the option to vote a split ticket. The voter can select a straight party and select candidates from a different party. The third option is a mixed ticket. The voter can skip the straight party selection and choose individual candidates in each race. Voter must make individual choices in each section of the non-partisan and proposal sections.

Voter identification

All voters who attend the polls or request an absentee ballot in person must follow the Michigan’s voter identification requirement. Voters will be asked to present photo ID such as a Michigan Driver’s License or Identification Card. Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID or doesn’t bring it with them can still vote. They must sign a brief affidavit stating that they are not in possession of a photo ID.

Absentee ballots may also be obtained in person until 4 p.m. Monday, November 2. Voters who request an absentee ballot in person on October 31 and November 2 must vote in the Clerk’s Office, and the ballot must be left with staff.

Know Before You Go!

With the importance of this election, the national mood and higher than normal turnout in the Primary Election, Clerk Hondorp wants voters to “Know Before You Go!”. Voters can go to www.michigan.gov/vote to check the status of their registration, their polling location, sample ballot, and absentee ballot status.

Election Day

All Grand Rapids’ 76 polling locations will be open on Election Day. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. may still vote. Due to physical distancing protocols, voting lines may appear to be longer than they are, so voters should not get discouraged by the length of lines as they will move quickly.

Precinct safety protocols

COVID protections will be in place at all polling locations, including providing masks, gloves and face shields for election workers. Poll workers also use disinfectant wipes to clean surfaces on a regular basis and to clean pens. Physical distancing markers also will be placed in each polling location. The Clerk’s Office encourages voters to wear a mask to protect themselves, election workers and other voters.

For additional information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 456-3010 or visit the website at www.grandrapidsmi.gov/election. Voters may track the progress of their application and absentee ballot HERE. Voters also may check their voter registration status, find their polling location or view a sample ballot on this website.

This press release was produced by the City of Grand Rapids. The views expressed are the author's own.