By KURT HAUGLIE

khauglie@mininggazette.com

CALUMET TOWNSHIP – Getting an absentee ballot is a fairly easy process, but it does require some effort by the voter.

Paul Lehto, supervisor of Calumet Township, said voters who want to vote absentee must come into their township office with proper identification and show they are registered to vote in that township. They will then be given an application to receive an absentee ballot.

Lehto said a voter who is granted an absentee ballot may fill it out right there in the township office.

“If they’re going to be gone Election Day, (they can) just come in,” he said.

If a voter receives an absentee ballot out of town, Lehto said it must be received at the township office no later than Election Day.

“You (have to) have four or five days if you’re out of town,” he said.

For the Tuesday presidential primary, Lehto said of the 1,340 ballots cast in Calumet Township, 200 were absentee ballots.

“We have well over 3,000 voters,” he said.

According to the Secretary of State website, the requirements for receiving absentee ballots are: being 60 years old or older, unable to vote without assistance at the polls, expecting to be out of town on Election Day, in jail awaiting arraignment or trial, unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons or appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence. The applications can be obtained online or at a city or township clerk’s office.

June Michaelson, Chassell Township clerk, said a growing number of township residents are choosing to use an absentee ballot.

“It seems to be popular,” she said.

It’s not necessary to come into the township office to get an application for an absentee ballot, Michaelson said.

“I know quite a few people who print out their application online,” she said.

The Michigan Secretary of State website (michigan.gov/documents/AbsentVoterBallot_105377_7.pdf) has the application for absentee ballots, Michaelson said.

Lynn Gierke, Chassell Township deputy clerk, said it is possible for some people to receive absentee ballots permanently.

Not all governmental entities allow the permanent absentee ballot yet, but Gierke said Chassell Township just started the process. To receive absentee ballots permanently, Gierke said a voter must be registered and at least 60 years old.

“For every election, we’re required to send out an application (to voters who can permanently vote absentee),” she said.

Of the 540 people who voted in Tuesday’s election, Gierke said 59 voted absentee.