Wayne County election officials discovered a printing error on absentee ballots that affects voters in three southwest Wayne County communities: the city of Belleville, the village of Sumpter and Van Buren Charter Township. The mistake involved the portion of the ballot reserved for the Belleville Area District Library Board, which was omitted from the original absentee ballot packets.
What happened
On Monday, Wayne County Elections notified Van Buren Charter Township officials that the absentee ballots being sent out were missing the library‑board section. The omission applies to all absentee voters in the three affected jurisdictions, meaning that anyone who has already received a ballot will not see the library‑board races on their form.
Response from local officials
Van Buren Charter Township officials acted quickly. They announced that new absentee ballots will be printed and mailed to every registered absentee voter in Belleville, Sumpter and Van Buren Township. The township will also include additional instructions with the replacement ballots to ensure voters understand the change.
“We are committed to providing every voter with a complete and accurate ballot,” a township spokesperson said. “Our staff is working with the county to get corrected ballots out as soon as possible so that all voters have the information they need before Election Day on November 3.”
Timeline for voters
Michigan law requires absentee ballots to be mailed to voters at least 40 days before the election. With the election scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, the corrected ballots are expected to reach voters in the coming weeks, well before the deadline for returning completed ballots.
Voters who have already received an absentee ballot should watch for a second mailing that will contain the corrected form and the new instructions. If a voter does not receive a replacement ballot by the end of the week, they are encouraged to contact the Van Buren Charter Township clerk’s office or the Wayne County Elections Department for assistance.
How to stay informed
Residents can verify their absentee‑ballot status and view a sample ballot by visiting the Michigan Secretary of State’s website. By entering their county, city and precinct, voters can see exactly which offices and proposals will appear on their ballot.
In addition to the standard races for state and federal offices, Michigan voters this November will decide on two statewide proposals and several local millage measures for zoos and museums. The ballot also includes races for state senators, representatives and congressional districts.For more information on early‑voting options, drop‑box locations and other ways to cast a ballot, voters should consult the official Michigan election resources or contact their local clerk’s office.
Why this matters
Ensuring that every absentee voter receives a complete ballot is a cornerstone of free and fair elections. Promptly correcting the printing error helps maintain confidence in the electoral process and guarantees that all eligible voters can participate fully in the upcoming November election.
Original reporting: Warren | FOX 2 Detroit — read the source article.
