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Special situation created for absentee voters

Oct. 21, 2010

Photo of Vote Nov 2 information.KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University is again making voter information easier to find with a Web page aimed at increasing political participation among students and the general public.

The Oct. 17 death of state Rep. Robert B. Jones, a candidate for Michigan Senate in the 20th district, which includes Kalamazoo County and Antwerp and Paw Paw townships in Van Buren County, has created an unusual situation for voters casting absentee ballots.

Under Michigan law, votes cast for a candidate who has died do not count. Hundreds of absentee ballots were mailed beginning in mid-September with Jones listed as the Democratic nominee in the 20th Senate.

Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Democratic Party selected Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell to replace Jones on the Nov. 2 ballot. His opponent is Republican state Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker.

Absentee voters who voted for or plan to vote for Schuitmaker do not need to take any action. Those votes will count.

Absentee voters who voted for Jones or who are holding absentee ballots and wish to vote for Hopewell have several options.

  • Request a Replacement Absentee Ballot from your city or township clerk. Requests must be made in person or in writing.
  • If already submitted, request that your absentee ballot be "spoiled" (invalidated), and vote in person at your polling location Nov. 2.
  • If not already submitted, take your absentee ballot to your polling location Election Day, Nov. 2, ask that it be "spoiled," receive a new ballot and vote in person.

Elections are being held throughout Michigan Tuesday, Nov. 2, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The voter information page provides links to online answers for questions such as, "Where do I vote?" and "How do I get an absentee ballot?"

Voter information
wmich.edu/vote
  • Find out if you are registered to vote.
  • Find your precinct number and polling location.
  • View a sample of your ballot for the Nov. 2 election.
  • Find out if you're eligible to vote absentee.
  • Print a request for an absentee ballot.

Exercise your right and responsibility as a citizen. Vote in the Nov. 2 elections.

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Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
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www.wmich.edu/news