Michigan voters will walk into polling places on November 3rd. And some might even stop by an early voting center to take care of their civic responsibility. Today Houghton County conducted public testing for the early voting center that will open.
Michigan voters have several ways to vote. Lining up at their polling place on election day. Taking advantage of absentee voting when schedules limit your ability to vote in-person. And Michigan counties organize early voting centers to encourage voter participation.
“We have basically 29 precincts, but a little bit more right now for this election because of splits. But at all of the cities and townships in Houghton County, they’re doing the same testing, but they’re only running one or two.” said Houghton County clerk Jennifer Kelly.
Houghton County will set up the early voting center at the Sharon Avenue property, proposed to become the new site of a jail and sheriff’s office. Houghton County Clerk Jennifer Kelly says the decision to move the center came out of a need for more space, improving voter privacy and general election security.
“ADA compliant, like a few have mentioned, the restrooms are right here, and there is good parking,” shared county Treasurer Lisa Mattila. “I think it’s more centrally located. The city center may have had some parking issues, and the whole goal was a little bit out of the area where this is kind of central here.”
“We’re able to space out our tabulators more,” explained Kelly. “I’m going to be able to space out the voters. And for the workers, it’s given them much more space to deal with voters if we have any privacy issues or anything like that.”
While poll workers worked to conduct public testing. Clerk Jennifer Kelly explained how they respond to common election day challenges.
“So we do about four different testings, in which the workers have to get the totals from the first testing and then zero out the tabulator, run the tapes, sign them, and then start it all over again,” said Kelly. “And they’re seeing how much security we really do have in our equipment.”
“Just the testing itself, as things are being rejected or not. Many hours are spent here watching the workers to make sure everything is done properly,” added Mattila.
Public testing at the early voting center is an important step to prepare for elections. The process allows poll workers to learn how to respond to specific situations and how to operate on election day.
“Why do public testing? It is per Michigan election law. And our county treasurer, our probate judge, but today we have Heather Maki with us. And we are responsible for verifying all the information is correct,” said Kelly. “And then we have to sign off on two different forms for the voter assistance terminal and the tabulators, serial numbers, and all that kind of stuff. And then we post it here that we have done our jobs.”
Early voting in Michigan will occur between October 24th and November 1st. The Houghton County Early Voting Center will operate from 8am to 4pm during the nine-day period.
All voters will need to show identification to vote. If you do forget to bring your ID with you, individual voters can sign a voter affidavit on the back of the voter application, confirming your identity. Clerk Kelly adds that if you do have your ID, you must present it to poll workers when you go to vote.
Make sure to flip over your ballot while voting. Many local, city or village proposals will appear at the bottom of the ballot. There are several initiatives affecting Houghton County, municipalities and school districts; voters will want to consider before submitting their ballot.
Those interested in learning more about voting in Michigan can find details online. The Houghton County Early Voting Center is located at 19741 W. Sharon Avenue, in Houghton.
