MICHIGAN - Oakland County Clerk Bill Bullard has put together a list of commonly asked questions and answers for the upcoming February 28th, Presidential Primary.
Q. I heard I have to declare a party preference in order to vote. Is that true?
A. Not exactly. However, in order to vote in the Republican or Democratic Presidential Primary, you must specify which party’s ballot you are requesting prior to voting.
Q. Does that mean I will always be labeled as a supporter of one party or the other?
A. While not officially registering a voter by party, the record of which primary a voter chooses is part of the public record for a period of 22 months.
Q. Why is this election different?
A. Technically, this is called a Presidential Preference Primary, and it is really a partisan function in a way other elections are not. Some states, like Iowa, hold caucuses to determine how many delegates a candidate for President wins from that state. Many other states have partisan registration when you register to vote. Since Michigan does not, and we have a “closed primary,” local clerks are required to do it this way.
Q. What if I am voting Absentee?
A. Absentee voters must check a box indicating which ballot they are requesting on their absentee ballot application or they will not receive a ballot. That is the rule the Legislature has set up.
Q. What if I want to vote on a local issue, but not the Presidential Primary?
A. Several communities also have non-partisan/separate election questions. These questions will be listed on both party’s ballots, however you may also request a separate non-partisan ballot to vote in just those races. (see a local county list at the bottom of this story)
Q. Who will appear on the Presidential Primary ballot for each party?
A. The following Presidential primary candidates will be listed on the February 28th ballot. Candidates who have withdrawn from the race remain on the ballot because they withdrew after the deadline. The Democratic Party is holding a caucus on May 4th and will be honoring the results of that contest only.
Republican
Michelle Bachmann
Herman Cain
Newt Gingrich
Jon Huntsman
Gary Johnson
Fred Karger
Ron Paul
Rick Perry
Buddy Roemer
Mitt Romney
Rick Santorum
Uncommitted
Democratic
Barack Obama
Uncommitted
Q. What if I fill out my Absentee Ballot, and the candidate I vote for drops out between when I vote and the date of the primary? Is there anything I can do?
A. If you are an absentee voter and wish to change your vote, you can request your ballot be spoiled by your clerk and you may fill out a new one.
If you decide to switch which primary you wish to vote in, you must first surrender your ballot to your local clerk and they can reissue you a new ballot, or if you have already voted, you must request your ballot to be withdrawn.
If you have any other questions, please call your local clerk:
Michigan Department of State 517-373-2540
Metro Detroit Counties:
Oakland County - http://www.oakgov.com/index.html.
State House - 29th District - http://www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections/february_combined_candidate_list.pdf
Oakland County communities with non-partisan questions on the February 28th ballot are:
City of Auburn Hills
City of Clawson
City of Pontiac
Village of Franklin
Ferndale Public Schools
Oakland County Elections Division at 248-858-0564
Macomb - http://macombcountymi.gov/index.htm
Center Line public schools
http://www.macombcountymi.gov/CLERKSOFFICE/pdf/elect-2012-centerline-public-schools.pdf
Bruce Township - millage for police protection
http://www.macombcountymi.gov/CLERKSOFFICE/pdf/elect-2012-proposal-bruce-twp.pdf
Wayne - http://www.co.wayne.mi.us/
Election Page http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/Feb_28-12_Elec_Jurisdictions_374407_7.pdf
Grosse Pointe Public Library - http://grossepointe.mi.lwvnet.org/calendar.html
Plymouth Township - http://www.plymouthtwp.org/Community/PublicNoticeDocuments/FireSADBallotNewsletter.pdf
Redford Township - http://www.redfordtwp.com/clerk-election.php
River Rouge School District - http://riverrougeschools.org/home/
Riverview Community Schools - http://www.riverviewschools.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=8043&
Wayne-Westland Comm. Schools - http://wwcsd.net/assets/pdfs/connections/midwinter2012.pdf
Monroe- http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/
Lenawee- http://www.lenawee.mi.us/
Ridgeway Township
Seneca Township
Tecumseh Public Schools
Livingston - http://co.livingston.mi.us/default.asp
Cohoctah Township
Howell City - Howell area fire authority millage proposal
Howell Township
Marion Township - http://www.mariontownship.com/Clerk/Clerk%27s%20Corner.htm
Oceola Township
St. Claire - http://www.stclaircounty.org/Main/Default.aspx
Casco Township
Lapeer - http://www.county.lapeer.org/Clerk/index.html
Lakeville Community Schools - http://www.lakevilleschools.org/documents/events/2012%20Bond%20Information.pdf
Mayville Community
