Voting & Elections

2023 Election Calendar

May 2, 2023    
Special Election
 
Precincts 3, 4 & 5
(Kalamazoo Public Schools)		    

Absentee Voting

Any registered voter can choose to vote by absentee ballot. If you would like to receive an Absent Voter Ballot Application for every election, please sign up for the Permanent Absent Voter list at the Michigan Voter Information Center, where you can also check your registration information, track your absentee application or ballot and more. View the Michigan voter information center website. Please note that all voters must submit an Absent Voter Ballot Application for every election, even if you are on the Permanent Absentee Ballot Application list.

Voter Registration

To register to vote you must be:

  • A U.S. citizen.
  • At least 18 years of age by Election Day.
  • A resident of Michigan and Texas Township.

You may apply to vote at the Texas Township Hall, any Secretary of State branch, or at the Kalamazoo County Hall (please bring photo I.D.). To see if you are registered, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center. If you find you are not registered, please visit the Voter Registration page to find out more about registering. View the Voter Registration Form (PDF).

Please mail all completed registration forms to the Clerk's Office at 7110 West Q Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

Voter registration rules and requirements changed after the passing of Proposal 3 in 2018.

Voters may register in person or by mail up to 15 days prior to an election. You may register to vote at the Township Hall or any Michigan Secretary of State Branch Office. You may also register to vote by mail by downloading and returning a voter registration form.

Voters may also register within 14 days of an election, up to and including Election Day, provided that the voter:

  1. Registers in person at the Township Hall
  2. Show proof of residency and proof of identity (or have an ID that proves both).

By law, voters must be 30-day residents of jurisdiction to be qualified to vote in that jurisdiction.

Updating Voter Registration

If you have moved recently or legally changed your name (marriage), you must update your voter registration.

  • Moved

    You may change your address online through ExpressSOS, by mail, or in person at a Michigan Secretary of State branch office or the Texas Township Office. Please bring a photo I.D.

  • Changed Name

    Must re-register to vote in person at a Michigan Secretary of State branch office. Be sure to bring legal documentation of the name change such as a marriage license or court papers.

Voting at the Polls

On Election Day, the polls are open from 7 am until 8 pm Anyone in line at 8 pm will be allowed to vote. Here are a few tips and tricks for all voters to remember:

  • Bring a valid form of Photo I.D. (or be prepared to sign an affidavit if you are not in possession of Photo I.D.) Valid forms of Photo I.D. include:
    • Michigan Driver's License or Personal ID
    • Non-Michigan Driver's License or Personal ID
    • Federal or state government-issued ID
    • U.S. passport
    • Military ID
    • Student ID - high school or accredited institution of higher education
    • Tribal ID card
  • Campaign materials are not allowed inside the polling location - this includes t-shirts, hats, buttons, pins, etc. Please leave any campaign materials at home.
  • Verify your precinct location. This information is located on your Voter Identification Card, but you can also verify your precinct location by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center.
  • Know what's on the ballot. Sample ballots are posted at each precinct and are also available for viewing at the Township Hall or in the Michigan Voter Information Center

Election Equipment

Texas Township uses the DS-200 optical scan voting system from Election Systems and Software (ES&S). This secure voting system utilizes paper ballots, which the voter completes by filling in ovals. The ballot is then placed into an electronic scanner that tabulates the votes and also captures a digital image of the ballot cast, in the event that there is a recount. Once the ballot has been fed through the tabulator, a message will appear to the voter indicating that their ballot was cast and properly counted. The paper ballot is then retained as a backup to the electronic tabulation and digitally scanned image.

Election Systems & Software DS-200 Tabulator

Election Systems and Software DS-200 Tabulator

Voters requiring assistance may vote independently using the ExpressVote ballot marking system. This device utilizes a specialized paper that is fed into the machine and will mark the voter's ballot after they've made their selections using a touch screen. This device assists voters with mobility, vision, and literacy difficulties.

Voters may also request assistance from the person of their choice. However, that person may not be the voter's employer or agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a union to which the voter belongs. Two precinct inspectors (of opposing political parties) may also assist the voter.

Election Systems & Software ExpressVote Device

Election Systems and Software ExpressVote Device

Absentee Voting

AV Ballot Qualifications

With the passing of Proposal 3 in 2018, registered voters no longer need a reason to request to vote by absentee ballot.

Requesting an AV Ballot

In order to receive an Absentee Ballot, you must first fill out an Absent Voter Ballot Application. You may contact the Clerk's Office and ask for an application to be mailed to you, or you can download the application below, fill it out, and return it to the Clerk's Office either via email at elections@texastownship.org or by postal mail. Once the Clerk's Office has received your application, an Absentee Ballot will be processed and mailed to you. View the Absent Voter Ballot Application Form (PDF).

AV Ballot Voting Instructions

Your Absentee Ballot will come with voting instructions to walk you through the process of voting absentee. It will also come with a secrecy sleeve to place your voted ballot inside before sealing it in the outer envelope. Prior to returning the Absentee Ballot, please make sure that you have signed the outside envelope; and, if mailing the ballot, place at least $0.58 postage on the envelope.

The Clerk's Office is open the Saturday before each election from 8 am until 4 pm for the convenience of those wishing to vote via Absentee Ballot. Please note that Absentee Ballots cannot be given to anyone except the voter. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Clerk's Office by 8 pm on Election Day.

Emergency Absentee Voting

You may make an "emergency" request for an absentee ballot if you cannot attend the polls on Election Day because:

  • You have become physically disabled.
  • A family death or illness requires you to leave your community for the entire time the polls are open on Election Day.

The emergency must have occurred at a time which made it impossible for the voter to apply for an absentee ballot by the statutory deadline for regular applications. Therefore, requests for an emergency ballot must be submitted after 2 pm the Saturday before the election, which is the deadline for applying for a regular absent voter ballot, but before 4 pm on Election Day. Emergency absent voter ballots must be returned to the clerk's office by 8 pm on Election Day. Contact the Clerk's Office for more information.

Permanent Absent Voter Ballot Application List

A voter can request to be added to this list in order to receive Absentee Voter Applications prior to each election. Recipients of these applications must complete the application for each election and return it to the Clerk's Office in order to receive a ballot. Please note that being on the Permanent AV List does not guarantee you a ballot; it only guarantees you will receive an application form. You must complete the application form and return it to the Clerk's Office in order to receive a ballot. An Absent Voter Ballot Application Form must be completed for each election.

You may call the Clerk's Office at 269-375-1591 or sign up to be on the permanent absentee voter list at the Michigan Voter Information Center to be sent an application for every election.

Military and Overseas Citizens

If you are an active duty service member, a family member of an active duty service member, or a U.S. citizen who is residing abroad, you may qualify for an absentee ballot.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Active Duty: An active duty member of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine.
  • Family of Active Duty: An eligible spouse or family member of an active duty member of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine.
  • Reside Abroad: A U.S. citizen residing outside the U.S.

Application Form

To receive an absentee ballot, eligible military and overseas voters must complete a Federal PostCard Application Form (PDF). The FPCA form allows the eligible voter to receive either an electronic ballot, which must be returned via postal mail or a physical ballot. The voter is able to select their preferred delivery method on the FPCA form.

Completed forms can be emailed to the Clerk's Office or to delivered to 7110 West Q Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Once submitted, the FPCA form is valid for the entire calendar year in which it was submitted. A new form will need to be submitted each year.

If you have questions, the Federal Voting Assistance Program has a wealth of information for service members, their families, and overseas citizens.

Become an Election Inspector!

Texas Township is currently seeking qualified individuals who are interested in working at polling locations on Election Day. The Township will provide training (one half-day) and the necessary resources for you to succeed in assisting voters on Election Day. This is an excellent way to serve your community and fulfill your civic duty while earning some extra spending cash! Please contact the Clerk’s Office at 269-375-1591 for more information. For more information please visit the Michigan Secretary of State website.