Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson held a virtual town hall Thursday to inform non-English speaking voters how to get their ballots in on time for the November election.
The town hall was organized by Michigan United, a social justice coalition that invited Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to meet with members of non-English speaking communities and assure them their voice matters.
“We are just over fifty days out of what is sure to be a historic election and that is precisely why it is so critical that your voices are heard, that every voice is heard this fall,” she said.
The number of voters participating in this election is expected to break records. More than 2.1 million Michiganders have already requested to have their ballots mailed to them.
Speaking through an interpreter, a member of the Spanish speaking community asked for guidance after receiving an absentee ballot well past the primary election date.
“Where can I submit a complaint if it took more than two months to receive an absentee ballot for the primary election and arrived on August 30?” they asked.
In response, Benson said complaints can be submitted toelections@michigan.gov and replacement ballots can be requested by calling or visiting a local clerk’s office.
“Or if you have mailed it back and haven’t been given any indication that its been returned,” she said. “You can go to your precinct and ask and they will have that voter file and will be able to see if your ballot has been returned.”
She said if voters haven’t received an absentee ballot before the election, they will still be able to vote.
“Call or visit your local clerk’s office and simply request a replacement ballot,” Benson said. “If you do that prior to 4 p.m. on the Monday before election they will give you a replacement ballot, they will invalidate the lost ballot and you can vote right then and there.”
For information on changes in polling locations on election day, Benson is referring voters to call 866-OURVOTE.
