July 9 Deadline to Vote on August 7

Just over 25% NC voters cast ballots during last primary

Primary Elections in Newaygo County and across the state are on August 7. Voters must be registered by July 9 to be able to vote in the August 7 Primary Election, according toMichigan.gov/elections.
Primary Elections are the first important step a citizen can take to vote for a candidate they feel will best represent them. It will determine which candidates from the each party will run off against each other in November. Democrat, Republican and Libertarian candidates will be chosen for Governor, Federal and State Senators and Congressional Representatives, County Commissioners and Delegates. The winners will then face off with each other in November.
There will also be millage propositions for County Veteran’s Services and County Public Safety. Your local township may have a millage proposition for special needs as well.

Newaygo County citizens have a poor track record of voting in the primaries. Of the 35,000 plus Newaygo County registered voters in 2016, only 9800 voted in the primary. That’s just a little over a quarter of the voters.
Michigan uses an open primary system This means registered voters do not have to be members of a political party to vote in that party's primary. A sample ballot is posted online so voters can be familiar with who will be on the ballot. This can be viewed at www. webapps.sos.state.mi.us/MVIC.
Here are some ways you can register to vote:

1. First, you must be a U.S. citizen. You need to be at least 18 years old on Election Day to vote. You also need to be a resident of Michigan and the city or township where you are registering to vote. You must not be currently incarcerated.
2. You can go to your county, city or township clerk to fill out an application. The form is short. You can also get an application online. Instructions are on the application or the clerk can help with any questions you may have. In person registration will make sure you are registered before the 30 day deadline.

Information about absentee voting, to check if you are already registered or to know where your polling place is located, go to www.mi.gov/vote. Or you can call the County Clerk at 231.689.7235.
​If you have recently moved to a new city or township, you will need to update your registration in order to vote on August 7.
Remember: July 9 is the deadline to register to vote in the August 7 Michigan Primary Elections. Newaygo County citizens are encouraged to vote and break the poor primary voting record of the past.