September 8, 2020

Michigan Department of State Voter Registration Mailings

This week, the Michigan Department of State will begin sending voter registration mailings to eligible but unregistered individuals with a Michigan driver’s license or state ID card. The mailings are part of Michigan’s participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) program. Through the ERIC program, Michigan obtains information about individuals who are eligible but not registered to vote in Michigan, as well as information about registered voters who may have left the state or otherwise become ineligible.

Based on data received from ERIC, the Bureau of Elections will be sending voter registration mailers to approximately 700,000 individuals. These mailers will notify Michigan residents of their voter registration eligibility and offer options to register online or to return the inserted card to the Secretary of State to be registered. Registration will occur through the driver database – clerks will not be mailed forms. However, the mailer also gives voters information on how to contact their local clerk to register to vote if the voter prefers that method of registration. Individuals on the mailing list who had Secretary of State transactions after Proposal 2018-3 went into effect but before it was implemented in September 2019, and are marked on the driver file as U.S. citizens, will receive an automatic voter registration mailer similar to the form currently used when these eligible individuals renew their driver’s license.

Because voter registration through these mailers will occur primarily through the driver database, clerks should not expect an increase in voter registration forms mailed to their offices as a result of these mailings. However, you may see an increased number of new voter registrations in QVF as a result of these mailers between September 21 and October 20. These mailers can be identified by their green color and Be a Voter message across the top. Our office will be tracking the registration response to improve our future efforts. If you have any questions or feedback, please email Shelly Belton beltons@michigan.gov with “ERIC Mailer” in the subject line.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Michigan Department of State Voter Registration Mailings
• Reminder:  Ballot Scout Webinar Today at 3 p.m.
• Michigan Department of State AV Postcards Begin Mailing this Week
• Reminder:  Center for Tech and Civic Life Grand Funding Available

Reminder: Ballot Scout Webinar Today at 3 p.m.

As a reminder, the Bureau of Elections and Democracy Works will be hosting a live Zoom webinar on the Ballot Scout ballot-tracking system. Clerks who are deciding whether to use the software for November AV ballots are invited to attend and learn more.

Topic: Discussing Ballot Tracking & Ballot Scout Time: Sep 8, 2020 3:00 PM Eastern Time Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81148500204 Meeting ID: 811 4850 0204

Michigan Department of State AV Postcards Begin Mailing this Week

As announced in the August 12 News Update, the Michigan Department of State will be mailing postcards to voters who have not requested absent voter ballots informing them of opportunities to apply for absent voter ballots for November. More information about the postcards is available in an August press release from the Secretary of State. Unlike the mailers sent before the August primary, these postcards are not absent voter ballot applications and will not be mailed to the local clerk. However, as is the case with the voter registration mailers discussed above, clerks may see an increase in absent voter ballot applications as a result of these postcards.

Reminder: Center for Tech and Civic Life Grant Funding Available!

Funding to support voter education efforts – including mailings and public service announcements, and technology, tabulators, and other equipment – is available through a grant from the Center for Tech and Civic Life. Jurisdictions should act quickly if they are interested in this funding, which is separate from state reimbursement and grant programs (you can apply for both).

You can find more information and request an application on the Center for Tech and Civic Life's COVID-19 Response Grant webpage. 

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