City of Traverse City Elections

ELECTIONS

UPCOMING ELECTIONS
Shape your government, speak your civic priorities: VOTE!!!

During calendar year 2007, there are important decisions to be made! Beginning last year, the Office of the City Clerk for the City of Traverse City administers school elections for those voters who reside within the city. The polling place for school elections is now the same as your polling place for all non-school elections.

The following elections are scheduled to be administered by the City Clerk:


     November 6, 2007 - City General Election


It is the desire of this office to assist you in any way as you participate in the democratic process by voting. If we may be of any assistance to you, please feel free to contact us via any of the following methods:

Telephone: (231) 922-4480
Facsimile: (231) 922-4485
E-mail: tcclerk@ci.traverse-city.mi.us
U.S. Mail: Debbra A. Curtiss, CMC, City Clerk
400 Boardman Avenue, P.O. Box 592
Traverse City, MI 49684

Absent Voter Ballots

Absent Voter Ballots can be requested from the City Clerk up to seventy-five days in advance of the election by completing a form available in the City Clerk's Office or by sending a letter stating: 1) the election for which you are requesting an absent voter ballot; 2) the reason why you are not attending the polls; 3) the location for the ballot to be mailed; and 4) an original signature affixed upon the request for each ballot. Please mail requests for absent voter ballots to: City Clerk's Office, 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684. The City Clerk’s Office is open partial business hours on the Saturday before each election to issue absent voter ballots. Absent voter ballots issued beyond when the office closes on the Saturday before the election must be voted at the City Clerk’s Office and are issued under specific circumstances (please contact the City Clerk’s Office with any questions.) The City Clerk’s Office is open partial business hours on the Saturday before each election to issue absent voter ballots. Absent voter ballots issued beyond when the office closes on the Saturday before the election must be voted at the City Clerk’s Office and are issued under specific circumstances (please contact the City Clerk’s Office with any questions.)

The City Clerk's Office began an exciting venture with the February 22, 2000, Presidential Primary. The City Clerk's Office began automatically mailing Absent Voter Ballot Applications to all registered voters in the City who are age sixty and over - - all voters age sixty and over are automatically eligible to vote via Absent Voter Ballot. This new practice increased voter turnout by 10%.

If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk's office at (231) 922-4480 or e-mail.

State Law

Persons who can legally be in possession of an absent voter ballot issued to an absent voter are limited to the absent voter; a person who is a member of the absent voter's household and who has been asked by the absent voter to return the ballot; a person whose job it is to handle mail before, during, or after being transported by a public postal service, express mail service, parcel post services, or common carrier, but only during the normal course of his or her employment; and the Clerk, assistants of the Clerk, and other authorized election officials of the City, Township, Village or school district. Any other person in possession of an absent voter ballot is guilty of a FELONY. PURSUANT TO STATE LAW, A FRIEND WHO DOES NOT LIVE WITH YOU OR NEIGHBOR MAY NO LONGER RETURN YOUR ABSENT VOTER BALLOT FOR YOU.

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Registration

It is of great importance to be registered to vote. If registering to vote for the first time or modifying your registration, it is a convenient process... it is worth your time!

To register to vote, you need to be at least 18 years old by the date of the next election, a citizen of the United States and a resident of the city or township in which you wish to register. You may register to vote at: all Secretary of State branch offices, various State offices, the County Clerk's office, or the City Clerk's Office for residents of the City of Traverse City. If you cannot come in to one of these offices to register, please contact your local clerk.

If you are already a registered voter but have moved or had a name change, and you still reside within the City, please contact the City Clerk's Office. This enables us to maintain your eligibility to vote in future elections. By calling the City Clerk's Office (922-4480), we can quickly verify your voting status.

To be eligible to vote at a particular election, you must be registered to vote at least 30 days before the election.

Again, please do not hesitate to contact the City Clerk's Office (922-4480) to verify your voting status; a quick call can make the difference!

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Becoming an Election Inspector

The City of Traverse City has 8 precincts and the City relies upon and needs many election inspectors to work in the precincts on election day. Election inspectors are paid for their time spent in training and working. This is a valuable civil service and we are extremely fortunate to have many wonderful election inspectors. Due to the relocation of certain Election Inspectors, vacations, or sometimes unexpected illness, we can always use additional assistance. Why not consider being an election inspector? Election inspectors need to be a registered voter in Grand Traverse or Leelanau County, able to perform clerical tasks and enjoy working with the public. If you are interested in becoming an election inspector, please apply at the City Clerk's Office (400 Boardman Avenue) during regular business hours.

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TRAVERSE CITY POLLING PLACES

For All Elections including School Elections

Precinct 1 -- Fire Station No. 1, 500 W. Front Street

Precinct 3 -- Grand Traverse Heritage Center, 322 Sixth St.

Precinct 4 -- Traverse City Housing Commission (Orchard View) 10200 East Carter Centre (Leelanau County)

Precinct 7 -- Temporarily Civic Center, 1125 W. Civic Center Drive

Precinct 8 -- Civic Center, 1125 W. Civic Center Drive

Precinct 9 -- Eastern Elementary School, 1600 Eastern Avenue

Precinct 10 -- Glenn Loomis School, 1009 Oak Street entrance

Precinct 11 -- Absent Voter Counting Board, Governmental Center

Your vote counts!

In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed.

In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.

In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.

In 1868, one vote saved Andrew Johnson from impeachment.

In 1875, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the Presidency of the United States.

In 1923, one vote gave Adolf Hitler leadership of the Nazi party.

Thank you for your interest in elections! Please do not hesitate to contact our office at (231) 922-4480 if we may assist in any way.
Most Sincerely,

Debbra A. Curtiss, CMC
City Clerk

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