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Elections

2023 ELECTION DATES
The following election will be conducted in 2023 in Oronoko Charter Township:

Date: May 2, 2023 – Berrien Springs Public Schools Millage Renewal; Buchanan Public Schools Millage Request, Lakeshore Public Schools Millage Request

Date: August 8, 2023 – Lake Michigan College Millage Renewal
Date: November 7, 2023 – No Election Scheduled


Oronoko Charter Township Polling Locations:
 
Precinct No. 1       Oronoko Charter Township Hall; 4583 E Snow Road
Precinct No. 2       Berrien Springs Community Library; 215 W Union
Precinct No. 3       Berrien County Youth Fair, Memorial Building; 9122 US Hwy 31
Election Day Hours:      All Polls are Open from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Register to Vote
You can register to vote if you are:
 
  • A citizen of the United States of America
  • 18 years of age on or before the date of the election at which you seek to vote
  • A Michigan resident for at least 30 days before the election

You may register to vote at:
 
  • The Secretary of State's office
  • The Berrien County Clerk's office
  • The Township Clerk's office
  • By mail through the Secretary of State's office

Election Inspectors
Oronoko Charter Township is always looking for qualified people to work at the polls on Election Day.
 
If you are a registered voter and you are interested in becoming an Election Day Precinct Inspector, you may work in any city or township in the county where you reside.
 
Michigan state law requires all precinct inspectors to be trained every two years. This training is conducted by the Berrien County Clerk. Supplemental information is given by the local Oronoko Charter Township's Clerk.
 
If you are an enthusiastic individual who wants to be involved in the community and help make Democracy work . . . Contact the Clerk at the Township Hall on Snow Road or call 471-2824.

Absentee Ballots

What is an absentee ballot?
An alternate way of voting without having to go to the polls on election day.

Who Is Eligible For An Absentee Ballot? 
Any registered voter.

How Do I Apply For An Absentee Ballot? 
To apply for an absentee ballot, follow these simple steps:

 Contact the clerk of the city or township where you are registered to vote.

You need to state in your request:

  • You are a registered voter of the city or township
  • State the address where you are registered to vote
  • Advise the clerk where your absentee ballot should be mailed
  • Sign your request
You may apply by letter, post card, or by Federal Post Card Application.

 When May I Apply?

To apply:
          Applications may not be accepted sooner than 75 days preceding an election.
          Mailed-in applications must be received by 5 pm the Friday before an election.  Your ballot will be mailed to you.  
          Voters also can drop off their application in person at their township or city clerk's office by 4 pm the Monday before
          Election Day and get their ballot.

Ballots must be signed and received by 8 pm on Election Day.

When You Move or Change Your Name:
 
If you change your address within a community, please notify the local clerk. You may also change your address at any Secretary of State Branch office.



Letter to the Editor of The Journal Era on July 22, 2020 Regarding Absent Voter Applications

We have all heard unfortunate stories through the national news when Absent Voter Ballots (AVB) have been “found” after an Election is over.  Because of those news stories, some citizens have questioned the process by saying, “I know you only count the AVB if the vote is close.”  Or, “I hear these are never counted.”   I want to personally assure each and every voter in Oronoko Charter Township that your vote will count if you vote through an AVB

Here is an overview on how the process works when a voter requests an Application to Vote by AVB:

1)      The date the Application is mailed from our office is recorded in the computer.

2)      The date the Application is received from the voter is recorded in the computer.

3)      The date the Ballot is mailed to the voter is recorded in the computer.

4)      The date the Ballot is received from the voter is recorded in the computer.

We sometimes receive an AVB where the voter has not signed the envelope.  In those cases, we contact the voter to have them come in and sign the envelope.  On many occasions, we have actually driven to the voter’s house to obtain their signature. 

On Election Day, a printout from the computer lists all the information in steps 1 – 4 above.  The Applications and the AVBs are matched up and physically counted.  That physical count has to match the computer printout.   These Applications and Ballots are delivered to a panel of 4 Election Inspectors, whose sole job is to open the AVB envelopes and run the Ballots through the tabulator.  This process is repeated as AVBs are received throughout Election Day.

I can assure each voter that if you return your AVB to this office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day and you have signed the envelope . . . Your Vote Will Be Counted!

If you choose to vote in-person rather than use the AVB on Election Day, please be aware that the lines will move slower in August and November than they have in past Elections.  The reason is, due to Covid-19 we will have to limit the number of people in the polls at one time.  So, if you come to the polls on Election Day, please have patience and understand that it may take you  longer this year to cast your vote.   Our Election Inspectors work a long day to make sure that you have the right to vote in-person, if you so choose. 

We all will do everything we can to keep the process moving as smoothly as possible, whether you vote in-person or by AVB.

Vote!  It is important!

Thank you.

Suzanne Renton, Clerk
Oronoko Charter Township