When is the election?
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters can go to their assigned polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You must be in line by 8 p.m. to vote. Plan your day accordingly, as most adults attend the polls after work at 5 p.m.
How can I vote?
You can vote in person or absentee. Michigan also offers early voting, so you can also vote during the early voting period that runs Oct. 26 through Nov. 5. Early voting is helpful if you’re busy on election day or prefer avoiding the crowds. There are a lot of options available, so do what’s best for you.
What’s on the ballot?
There’s not just a presidential election to vote for on this ballot. You can view what will be at your precinct ahead of time online based on your location. Elissa Slotkin will be facing Mike Rogers in a Senate race that’s made national headlines. Oakland University is split between the 10th and 11th congressional districts. The House of Representative candidates for the 10th district include Carl J. Marlinga and John James. The candidates for the 11th include Haley Stevens and Nick Somberg. There are also various State Boards, trustees and county positions on the ballot.
Do I need to register to vote?
Yes, you need to register to vote before actually voting. Your local township clerk’s office allows in-person voting registration up to 8 p.m. on election day, but you should do it beforehand. The deadline is Oct. 21. for registering to vote online. Absentee ballots can be requested online through Nov. 1.
I don’t follow politics
More than half of Americans (58%) have been following news about the 2024 election very or fairly closely. You may be part of the other 42% who don’t, which is okay. Spend some time reading up on the news and researching the ballot.
What kind of research should I do ahead of time?
Reading the news is a good start. Try to find unbiased sources and read opinions from both sides of the debate. A great way to research the candidates on the ballot is by looking up their websites. On the campaign website, you can find information about their platform and what issues they’re campaigning on. Although these websites portray the candidate in a good light, they can provide you with some information about the candidate and what they plan to do in office.
Why should I vote?
Your voice needs to be heard. Participating in democracy is your civic responsibility, but also these decisions may affect your future. If that doesn’t convince you, Oakland County is a vital county for the presidential election, so your vote does matter.
USA Today has described Oakland as one of the seven most pivotal counties in America. In 2022, Politico described Oakland County as the “key to winning just about anything statewide in Michigan.” So not to toot our own horn, but we are important — therefore your vote is too.
But both candidates are bad
This is a common (and often valid) complaint amongst voters. What issues matter to you most? What candidate aligns most with your values? For some, this is a lesser of two evils option, but that still means there is a better candidate in your opinion.
What other resources are there?
The Michigan Voter Information Center has lots of important information. There are also lots of other organizations you can find online including Vote411, Michigan Voting, Rock the Vote and your local clerk’s office.
