Alpena City Clerk clarifies ballot confusion

ALPENA, Mich.– If you’re confused about whether or not absentee and mail–in ballots are the same thing, you’re not alone. According to Soik, the terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re different. Mail–in ballots can be used to vote absentee, but you can also vote absentee at city hall. You also have to go to city hall to request an application if you plan to vote by mail. Once the form clears, they will send you your ballot.

When it comes to deadlines, Soik said “Our deadline for an absentee ballot is… if you’re not registering for the first time, and it’s not an emergency ballot, for everybody else, it’s 4:00 P.M. the day before the election.”

Those who are registering for the first time, or who have to request an emergency ballot, can do so until 8:00 P.M. on election day.

Soik also released an in–depth Facebook post earlier this week to answer some frequently asked questions from the community. You can read the post for yourself at this link.