With just weeks until election workers welcome voters for the Nov. 3 general election, local clerks across our towns and cities are diligently preparing for long hours and careful protocols to guarantee that every single ballot is properly counted.
At the same time, there is a lot of misinformation being spread about election administration in Michigan, so it’s important to shine a light on our election procedures so the public knows what duties and responsibilities the job entails. The reality of managing our voting sites continues to evolve dramatically, and local officials face unprecedented strain as they are continually forced to validate their statutory responsibilities to the public.
As a clerk, I have become very aware of the threats facing our elections. These threats tend to arrive as relentless attempts to erode trust from the ground up. We see this through bad-faith voter challenges, rogue poll challengers demanding unlawful requirements, and self-appointed “auditors” intimidating local officials without legal authority. Over the past few years, bad actors have attempted to take control of our election systems while election workers face unprecedented harassment, compounded by AI-generated misinformation that confuses voters.
Make no mistake: These attacks are deliberate attempts to chip away at your confidence in the ballot box and keep everyday Michiganders from voting. The reality is that dedicated local clerks run our elections with checks and balances at every step of the way, so that no other elected official can try to push their own agenda and dictate the results.
That is why clerks across our state, including me, were grateful to have the Michigan Clerks’ Bill of Rights as a resource to help election officials communicate with our communities about our roles and responsibilities. This initiative doesn’t invent new powers; it grounds itself firmly in existing state and federal laws, administrative rules, and official guidance to affirm 10 clear, uncompromising principles. It lays out exactly where local authority rests so that election workers and voters stand united and fully informed.
The Clerks’ Bill of Rights is meant to maintain transparency and trust within the communities we serve. Strong protections for election officials and compliance with established legal precedent are essential to increase the public’s trust and confidence in elections and election results, and it is trust in our systems and election officials that is absolutely essential to protecting the freedom to vote for all eligible voters.
Now is the time for all of us to stand up for our democracy, and here is what I am asking of you:
- Register and verify your registration: Register in person at your clerk’s office with proof of residency until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Confirm your registration and polling place online.
- Make a plan to vote. Early in-person voting runs for at least nine days, from Saturday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 1. If you vote absentee, your ballot must reach your clerk’s office or drop box by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, and if you are in line at 8 p.m., stay in line. You will vote.
- Know your rights. At the polls, your eligibility can only be challenged for four reasons: lack of registration, age under 18, non-US citizenship, or residency under 30 days. You do not need a photo ID to vote; you may sign an affidavit instead. If challenged, you can still cast a ballot after taking an oath. Voter intimidation is illegal, and firearms are prohibited within 100 feet of voting areas, clerk offices, and drop boxes.
- Speak up when something is wrong. Report poll issues to an election inspector or precinct chair immediately, or contact your local clerk. For nonpartisan aid, call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.
A thriving democracy takes all of us, and together, we can make sure that our freedom to vote remains protected.
Domonique Clemons is the Genesee County Clerk and Register of Deeds.
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