City of Battle Creek issued the following announcement.
City Clerk Victoria Houser recommends those voting absentee return their ballots as soon as possible, and has some other reminders to help the Battle Creek community successfully vote in the Nov. 3 election.
- The Clerk’s Office, Room 111 in City Hall, is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. City Hall serves only seniors 60 and older from 9-10 a.m. It will be open additional hours to register voters and provide absentee ballots to applicants, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on upcoming Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31. City staff will conduct COVID health screenings for visitors on the Saturdays, as we do during the week.
- You can return your absentee ballot anytime, through 8 p.m. Election Day, to our designated drop box, next to the sidewalk outside the entrance to City Hall. Be sure to sign the outside of the envelope. We encourage you to return it before Election Day, when possible.
- Michigan is one of a few states that allow straight ticket general election voting. For example, if you voted for the Ice Cream Party at the top of your ballot, you cast a vote for every Ice Cream Party candidate running on the ballot, up to the maximum allowed in each race. If the Ice Cream Party doesn’t have a candidate in a particular race, you will not have a vote in that race. You must vote separately in non-partisan races, and proposals (yes/no questions).
- Voters also can choose a split ticket. This means you can vote for a straight party, then also vote directly in as many individual races as you wish for a different party’s candidate. For example, you can choose the Ice Cream Party at the top of your ballot, and cast that indirect vote for every candidate of that party. Then you can choose to vote for the Cake Party candidate in a particular race. Again, you must vote separately in non-partisan races, and proposals.
- Mixed-ticket voting means you can choose to leave blank the straight party race, and directly select candidates of your choice in each individual race.
- Voters also can choose a split ticket. This means you can vote for a straight party, then also vote directly in as many individual races as you wish for a different party’s candidate. For example, you can choose the Ice Cream Party at the top of your ballot, and cast that indirect vote for every candidate of that party. Then you can choose to vote for the Cake Party candidate in a particular race. Again, you must vote separately in non-partisan races, and proposals.
- As we remain alert to everyone’s health and safety during the pandemic, we encourage you to wear a mask to vote in person – however, you may vote without one. Please observe social distancing at the polling place, and follow the poll workers’ instructions for the smoothest possible process.
- Reminder that everyone who votes in city precincts 15 and 17 and will vote in person, should do so at the usual location – Battle Creek Community Church, 552 E. Emmett St. The church was able to repair their elevator, and will welcome voters on Nov. 3, with no need for an alternate location. Thank you to Pastor Dave and his staff for the quick work!
- We know many voters feel passionate about their choices. Police officers will connect with the Clerk’s Office and poll workers throughout the day, to ensure everyone has a safe voting experience.
- Find information you need, like your voter registration status, your polling location for in-person voting, and absentee ballot tracking, at battlecreekmi.gov/elections, and Michigan.gov/vote.
For access to voter information in other languages, including Spanish and Burmese, visit https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_102334_102861---,00.html
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