Novi Prepares for Election Day with Surge in Absentee Voting and Early Engagement

Novi Gears Up for Election Day with Excitement and Absentee Voting

As the leaves begin to change and the air gets a little crisper, Novi is buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming election. While Election Day is still over a month away, voters in the area are already hitting the ground running, making use of absentee ballots and early voting options. It’s shaping up to be an exciting time for local democracy!

Early Voting and Absentee Ballots on the Rise

This week, the Novi clerk’s office reported that, just days after sending out 15,000 absentee ballots, more than 1,000 voters already returned their ballots. Many have opted to drop their ballots into designated boxes or hand them directly to clerks. Take Donna Freund, for example, a 75-year-old local resident, who made sure to personally deliver her absentee ballot. “I’m not going to take any chances,” she confidently stated. It’s clear that for some, like Donna, getting voting done early is the way to go—especially when considering potential health concerns or unpredictable weather.

Alongside Donna, local clerks are also seeing an exciting surge in absentee voting. Cortney Hanson, the city clerk, along with other clerks in the region, predicts that absentee voting will be popular this year. With the permanent absentee voter list growing and requests for ballots flooding in, it’s a good year for voting!

A Wave of Applications

In nearby Livonia, Clerk Lori Miller reported having sent out around 24,924 absentee ballots, which accounts for nearly a third of the city’s registered voters. “We are drowning in paperwork,” she joked, highlighting the high demand. Miller is receiving approximately 250 applications for absentee ballots every single day, a clear testament to the enthusiasm of voters wishing to have their say.

How Will 2023 Compare to 2020?

While 2020 was an unprecedented year with an extraordinary turnout, it’s difficult for local clerks to predict how this year’s numbers will stack up. “I wish I had a crystal ball and knew those numbers,” said Hanson. Only time will tell if absentee voting will reach the heights seen during the pandemic, but the added convenience options seem to resonate with voters.

Early Voting: A Brand-New Option

Novi has introduced early voting to the mix, having partnered with Oakland County for a pilot program. Last year, 517 voters from Novi and nearby communities took advantage of early voting, and it looks like this option will continue to grow in popularity.

For Aaron Martinez, a 31-year-old local, dropping off his absentee ballot is a familiar and convenient routine. “I like it because it allows me to get it done a month before Election Day,” he shared. His wife, April, prefers the tradition of voting in person, enjoying the interaction with clerks and the satisfaction of placing her ballot into the machine.

Tracking Your Ballot

Brett and April found comfort in knowing that they could track their ballots online. Once Aaron dropped off his ballot in the box, a confirmation email from the Novi clerk’s office followed just a day later, thanking him for participating in the democratic process. Martinez appreciates the option to change his vote before Election Day, should he have any second thoughts. However, he’s quite confident in his choices.

Engagement in the Community

The community spirit continues as other residents express their voting preferences. Linc and Dana Wehrly were out enjoying cider and doughnuts at Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, sharing their clear choices for the upcoming election. Having voted absentee in previous years, they appreciate the convenience of voting from home and doing their research on candidates in a comfortable setting.

Fostering Confidence in Absentee Voting

At the local municipal office, Deputy Clerk April Talaga is busy mailing out additional absentee ballots. With nearly 6,000 ballots already issued in Lyon Township, Talaga remains optimistic about voter turnout. She is eager to quash any lingering doubts about absentee voting, frequently addressing rumors that only close votes are counted. “Every absentee ballot is counted if voted correctly,” she assured.

Talaga echoes the sentiment that it doesn’t matter how people choose to vote, as long as they do! Whether it’s in person or through the mail, participating in elections is crucial. As we draw closer to Election Day, the message is clear: make sure your voice is heard.

For more information on how to register, request an absentee ballot, and track your vote, be sure to visit your local clerk’s office. With all the options available, every voter can find a method that suits their needs.