Tips for a smooth Election Day, Nov 4

My wish for Election Day, November 4 is that when it's over we'll learn that every U.S. citizen who is registered to vote was able to have her or his voice heard by casting a valid vote, in person at the polls or by absentee ballot. Perhaps my wish is a bit unrealistic, but it's my wish just the same.

Here’s what I think we can do to help make the voting and ballot counting process go smoothly, despite what is likely to be a record voter turnout:

Check to make sure you are registered. Go to www.michigan.gov/vote, click on "Are You Registered?" and enter your information by name or driver's license number. If you are registered, you will see a message confirming it and your polling place will be shown along with other relevant information.

Have you moved recently? If so, please note that registered Michigan voters who have moved within 60 days of the election may still vote at their previous address if they did not register to vote at their new address by the October 6 deadline. This also applies to voters whose homes have been foreclosed upon. Voters in default on their mortgages but living in their homes may still vote without restriction.

Before you go to vote, preview your ballot at www.michigan.gov/vote by using the "Are You Registered" button and then clicking "View My Sample Ballot" on the page that comes up. Write down your choices and take them with you to the polling place.

If you can arrange it and afford it, ask for a day off so that you won’t have to vote during the most crowded times, or so that you can help others get to the polls by arranging rides or babysitting for them.

If you have a flexible schedule, go to the polls mid-morning or mid-afternoon to reduce the crowds for those who are trying to vote before or after work.

Request an absentee ballot if you are eligible - anyone 60 years or older is automatically eligible, complete it and mail it in right away. Absentee ballots count the same as those filled out at polling places. If you are a first-time voter, be sure to visit www.michigan.gov/vote and click the "Absentee Voting" button for information about your situation.

If it's very near election day and you still have your absentee ballot and are planning to use it, make sure that you or someone you've authorized gets it to the clerk at the location printed on the return envelop before election day if you possibly can. If for some reason you decide to go to the polling place to cast your vote on Election Day, take your absentee ballot with you.

Take ID when voting in person. Take your driver's license, state ID card or other valid photo ID with you to your polling place. Go to www.michigan.gov/vote and click on the "Voter ID" button to find out what kinds of photo ID are acceptable.

At your polling place, remember that no campaigning is permitted within 100 feet of the polling place. That means that you’ll need to make sure all campaign clothing, buttons and literature are out of sight while you are inside that 100-feet limit.

And, please turn off your cell phone as soon as you enter the voting area and refrain from making or receiving calls until you are outside again. Yes, talking on the phone about the candidates or proposals is considered campaigning, and ringing cell phones are likely to distract fellow voters and slow things down.

If you encounter any problems at the polls, be patient with the election inspectors who are there to help voters and see that the election laws are followed. There are procedures, some of them time-consuming for the voter, that must be followed in cases such as when a "provisional ballot," rather than a regular ballot must be used. If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for assistance right away and you’ll be able to correct it.

If we all take the time to get ready and with some good luck, we'll have a smooth, clean election November 4.

(I'm reprinting the above in case you missed my letter on this topic in the Chelsea Standard and Dexter Leader on October 9, 2008.)