Letter to the Editor: Shelby Township Clerk Calls for 'No-Reason Absentee Voting'

By" Shelby Township Clerk Stanley Grot

After conducting three major elections in a nine-month span, I had the opportunity to personally witness what works and how we as election officials can improve the voting process to better serve our constituents.

The times have changed and many people have limited time to take off work to stand in line for an extended period of time on Election Day.  Because of their busy schedule, many citizens simply forget to vote on Election Day.

Currently, there are six reasons listed on an application for an absent voter’s ballot.  In today’s economy, these reasons are not sufficient to meet the busy schedules of the constituents we serve.  The six reasons are as follows:

• I expect to be absent from the community in which I am registered for the entire time the polls are open on Election Day.
• I am physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another.
• I cannot attend the polls because of the tenets of my religion.
• I have been appointed an election precinct inspector in a precinct other than the precinct where I reside.
• I am 60 years of age or older.
• I cannot attend the polls because I am confined to jail awaiting arraignment or trial.

I personally witnessed individuals trying to figure out which of these reasons fit their needs.  Often, none of the reasons fit their criteria for requesting an absentee ballot, consequently not voting at all.

“By having NO-REASON ABSENTEE VOTING, we will increase voter participation and eliminate the anxiety of voters’ having to wait in line and missing work.  Also, we will be providing the voters a more convenient and simple way to participate in the elections.”

Under the NO-REASON ABSENTEE VOTING law, a registered voter would fill out an Absent Voter application.  The signature on the application would be verified with the signature on the Qualified Voter File (QVF).  Voters would then receive the ballot.  This process for obtaining an absentee ballot would be simple and fraud-proof.

In my opinion, it is the perfect time to implement NO-REASON ABSENTEE VOTING for all registered citizens.  With the sophistication of today’s technology and equipment we are assured our goals of fair and honest elections will be upheld.

As elected officials, we must strive to serve our citizens in a more efficient manner, encourage every citizen to vote, and provide a proper environment and more options at the voters’ disposal.

For more information, please contact Shelby Township Clerk Stanley T. Grot at (586) 731-5102.