Absentee Ballots Available In Dearborn Until August 5

DEARBORN, MI — Registered voters can request absentee ballots from the Dearborn City Clerk’s Office through Saturday, Aug. 5 for the Aug. 8 primary election. Five candidates are vying for the mayor’s office, including incumbent John B. O’Reilly and councilman Thomas Tafelski.

Registered voters who would like to request an absentee ballot may do so in person at the Clerk’s Office in the Dearborn Administrative Center at 16901 Michigan Ave. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, until Aug. 4. The request form is also available at www.cityofdearborn.org. Search for “absentee voter.”

The Clerk’s Office in the DAC will also be open on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. This is the last day to request an absentee ballot. Anyone receiving an absentee ballot from the Clerk’s Office through Aug. 5 may also vote and turn in the completed ballot in the same visit. Otherwise, completed absentee ballots may be delivered to the Clerk’s Office until Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 8 p.m.

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Besides mayor, five candidates are also seeking to be Dearborn’s next city clerk. A large field of 17 candidates are vying for seven open slots on Dearborn’s city council, too.

Later this week, Patch will feature information about the candidates. Also count on full election day coverage from your local Patch.

In terms of registered voters, an absentee ballot can be requested if they are over 60 years old or unable to attend the polls in person on election day due to travel, disability, religious concerns, election work out-of-precinct, or incarceration. Absentee voters are reminded that only immediate family members such as parents, children, siblings, or in-laws are allowed to return the ballot for them. Adults living in the same household may also deliver the form. Mail carriers are permitted to handle absentee ballots as part of their job,
“No one should be coming knocking on your door asking if you need assistance,” stressed Acting City Clerk Lola Isminger. Doing so is a violation of election law and could result in felony charges against that person.

Absentee voters need to complete their ballots in private. Anyone who assists an absentee voter in any way is required to sign a statement on the ballot’s return envelope. It is a felony to try to influence a voter while they are voting.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day. July 10 was the last day to register for the primary election