February 28 Presidential Primary -For Gaines Township, this election is solely to nominate presidential candidates to run for their parties in the November 6 election. For this election, you will need to Indicate on your application (either absentee or at the polls) which of the two ballots you want- either Republican or Democrat. That choice will not remain in your permanent record but is necessary for the Presidential Primary only.
May 8 Grand Rapids Community College - the college will be asking for a millage approval
August 7 Primary Election - A primary is an election in which voters in a jurisdiction select candidates for a subsequent election. In other words, primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the following general election. In the August election you must limit your votes to one party- no crossing over. The President’s office is not on this ballot because that election was held previously in February of this year.
November 6 General Election -While primary elections serve to narrow down a field of candidates to one per position per party, general elections actually elect candidates to offices.
Absentee Voting: Please call my office if you have the desire to vote absentee and fit the following qualifications: 60 years or over, absent from the community on election day, physically unable to attend the polls, prohibited from attending due to religious beliefs, in jail awaiting arraignment or trial, or working as a precinct inspector on election day. You can also download a form from our website or the Michigan Secretary of State’s website.
For those of you voting at the polls: Please take a minute to insure that you are registered in our Township and locate the polling location. You can do that by visiting the Secretary of State’s website at Michigan.gov/vote. As for Election Day, proof of identity will be required (as it has been for several years) It is my goal to make your voting experience as simple as possible. The Clerk’s office is always happy to help you with any of your election questions. You can call us at 698-7980.
