Biggest mistakes Michigan voters make at the polls

It’s Election Day on Tuesday, and millions of Michigan residents will be going to the polls to choose a new governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state Legislature and vote on a range of other candidates and ballot issues.

Officials are predicting record turnout for a mid-term election, which means it will draw many new or infrequent voters. 

Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To make Election Day a little easier, try to avoid these common mistakes.

Mistake No. 1. Going to the wrong polling place.

A surprising number of voters think they can go to any polling place in their city or township; they don’t realize each voter has a designated polling place.

Unsure of where to vote? It’s easy to check at www.michigan.gov/vote — just type in your name, birth date and ZIP code, and the database will give you the address and a map of your polling location.

You can also do a Google search on the phrase “where do I vote.” A database will pop up where you can type in your address and your polling place will pop up.

Even if you’re a frequent voter, it doesn’t hurt to double check since polling places can change.

Mistake No. 2. Failing to fill out both sides of the ballot.

Michigan has a two-sided ballot. Election workers say a common mistake is for voters to fill out only the front side, not realizing there are more races plus ballot issues on the back.

Mistake No. 3. Marking the ballot improperly.

Some voters end up with ballots that don’t get counted because they fill out the ballot incorrectly.

It’s important to fill in the ovals on the ballot to mark your choices. Circling the ovals  or writing “yes” or “no” doesn’t work  — the ballot tabulators only read markings within the ovals.

Also, pay attention to the number of candidates you can choose for each office. Choose too many and your vote for that office will be invalidated.

Mistake No. 4: Failing to leave enough time to vote.

Some would-be voters show up at a polling place only to leave before voting because the lines are too long.

So leave enough time. A record turnout is expected this midterm election, likely means there will be lines. Moreover, this is the first Michigan election in more than a century where straight-ticket voting is not an option, which means it will take many people longer to fill out their ballot.

Bottom line: Anticipate that voting will be not be a quick trip to the polling place. If you’re short on time, don’t go first thing in the morning, lunch hour or early evening, when the lines will be longest. 

Mistake No. 5. Failing to do your homework.

Don’t be that person who shows up at the poll planning to make decisions on the fly. 

The best way to approach this: Print out a sample ballot from your precinct (available at www.michigan.gov/vote or vote411.org by typing in your address) and mark it up as a cheat sheet.

And for those who figure they’ll just vote straight Republican and Democratic — realize the ballot also includes some nonpartisan contests such as judicial and school board contests. 

Incidentally, the Michigan Supreme Court race is technically a nonpartisan race, but the candidates are nominated by political parties. Click here for a story about the candidates and their political affiliations.

Mistake No. 6. Failing to bring a photo identification.

You don’t need your voter’s registration card, but you should bring a photo ID.

Acceptable IDs include driver’s license; state-issued ID card; ID issued by another state; federal or state-issued photo ID; U.S. passport; military ID; student ID or tribal ID card with photo.

Voters who do not have an acceptable form of ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls still can vote. They simply sign a brief affidavit stating that they’re not in possession of a photo ID. Their ballots are included with all others and counted on Election Day.

Mistake No. 7. Wearing clothes or buttons with political messages.

Leave your MAGA hat or Blue Wave button at home. Michigan bans election-related materials at polling places. This includes clothing and buttons as well as materials such as pamphlets, fliers and stickers.

You cannot display such items in the polling place or within 100 feet of an entrance to a polling place. If you go to the polls with a shirt or button bearing election-related images or slogans, you will be asked to cover or remove it.

Voters guide for November election

MLive has partnered with the League of Women Voters Education Fund to provide information and resources in the 2018 election. More information can be found at Vote411.org, which has information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan’s county and local races. 

All responses in the voters  guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected.

Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement by the League of Women Voters. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties.

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