Absentee ballot applications are now available

By Alan Madlane
It’s voting season again.
Applications for absentee ballots are now available at the Hamtramck City Clerk’s Office, and also at any Secretary of State office.
Hamtramck City Clerk Rana Faraj said that, if you applied to get an absentee ballot for both the past primary and election and the upcoming November election, you will automatically get a ballot. You do not need to apply again.
However, if you applied for an absentee ballot only for the August Primary election, you will need to apply again for the Nov. 8 election.
The Nov. 8 election will determine, among other issues, whether Republicans or Democrats control congress for the next two years.
Voters who wish to vote by mail are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible to avoid postal delays.
Don’t confuse voting absentee with voting, period – you first need to be registered to vote in your city or township.
This is all best outlined on Michigan.gov/Vote, but basically, in order to be legal to vote in the state, you must:
 Be 18 years old (by election day, so you can apply before that)
 Be a U.S. citizen
 Be a resident of the city or township you are voting in for at least 30 days prior to the date of the election, and
 Not be currently serving a prison or jail sentence (ask regarding a home arrest/tether situation)

Once you are registered, you can fill out your absentee ballot application.
Posted Sept. 9, 2022