Happy election day! Michigan voters will head to the polls today, Mar. 10, to cast their vote in the presidential primary race.
The Democratic primary race has shaped up to be a two-man race between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, with Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard placing third. There is also a Republican presidential primary, though President Donald Trump does not have any major competition and is widely expected to be renominated as the Republican party’s nominee. Contesting against Trump for the nomination in the Republican primary is former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld.
Step 1: Check your registration status and voting location
To check to see if you’re registered to vote, visit the Michigan Secretary of State’s website. You can use your name, birthday, and zip code, or your driver’s license number to verify your registration status.
By checking your registration status, you will also find out where you go to vote, known as a precinct. Your precinct is dependent on the address with which you registered to vote.
If you’re not registered to vote yet, you can still participate in the Mar. 10 primary. “If you’re not registered and want to vote on Tuesday, March 10, you must register in person at your local city or township clerk's office. Some clerk’s offices have opened satellite offices for voter registration,” the Michigan Secretary of State’s website states.
You can find your local county clerk here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Clerk
Step 2: Find your sample ballot
Additionally, you can see exactly what will be on your ballot before heading to the polls at mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot. You will need to know your exact precinct to find your ballot, which can be found when checking your voter registration status.
Example ballots show both the Republican and Democratic primary ballots, but voters are required to choose only one party when voting in a primary election.
Step 3: Make sure you have your ID to vote
Additionally, Michigan law requires voters to present a picture ID when voting. If you don’t have an ID, you can still vote, but you must sign an affidavit stating that you do not have an ID.
Step 4: Go vote!
Polls are open in Michigan from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Mar. 10, and anyone in line before 8:00 p.m. will be allowed to cast their vote.
Ypsilanti’s newest polling place location is the Eastern Michigan University Honors College located 511 W. Forest Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 for ward two, precinct four and ward three, precinct one.
The Eastern Echo will have a special print edition distributed on Wednesday morning dedicated to the primary election results in Michigan. Pick up a copy on campus or in the Ypsilanti community for results analysis from Michigan and Washtenaw County. Articles are also posted online at eatsernecho.com.
