Election Information
POLLING LOCATION - Dearth Community Center, 235 E. Garfield Avenue
Election Information
Federal, State, Local and School elections are administered by the City Clerk’s Office. All elections for Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3 and Ward 4 of the City of Coldwater will now be held at the Dearth Community Center, 235 E. Garfield Avenue. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A Primary/General City Election is held every odd year at which time four members of Council are elected for a four-year term and Mayor for a two-year term. Eligibility for elective office is as follows:
1. Twenty-one years of age.
2. A registered elector of the City.
3. A resident of the City for at least two years continuously immediately
preceding the election.
4. Can not be in default to the City.
These positions are non-partisan and nominated by petition. Persons interested in running for Council or Mayor must submit nominating petitions as required by law. Petitions shall be signed by not less than twenty-five, nor more than 100, of the registered electors of the City. Nominating petitions and related forms shall be filed with the City Clerk not later than 4:00 p.m. on the twelfth Tuesday preceding the Primary Election date. Packets for filing are available at the City Clerk's office.
2012 Election Dates
February 28, 2012 - Presidential Primary
(Last day to register January 30, 2012)
August 7, 2012 - Primary
(Last day to register July 9, 2012)
November 6, 2012 - General Election
(Last day to register October 9, 2012)
Voter Info
For more information to see if you are registered to vote, view a sample ballot, check the status of your absentee ballot request, or to find your polling location go to www.Michigan.gov/vote.
New Voter Identification Requirement
Due to a recent court ruling, every Michigan voter who offers to vote in the polls must comply with the requirement by showing picture identification or signing an affidavit attesting that he or she is not in possession of picture identification.
Register to Vote
To qualify to be registered as an elector in the State of Michigan you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age by election day and a resident of the community for 30 days prior to an election. You may register to vote by utilizing the Voter Registration Form and submitting it to the City Clerk, One Grand Street, Coldwater, MI 49036 - or you may register in person at any Secretary of State Offices in United States.
Absentee Ballots
Absentee ballots are made available for every election. To qualify for an absentee ballot, you must be a registered voter and complete the Absentee Voter Application to declare the reason why you are requesting an absentee ballot.
• 60 years of age or older.
• Physically unable to attend the polls without assistance of another.
• An appointed precinct worker in a precinct other than the precinct where you reside.
• Expect to be absent from the community in which you are registered for the entire time the polls are open on Election Day.
• Cannot attend the polls because of the tenets of your religion.
• Cannot attend the polls due to the confinement to jail awaiting arraignment or trial.
Absentee ballot applications can be printed from this web page and returned to the City Clerk, One Grand Street, Coldwater, MI 49036.
Military and Overseas Civilian Voters
Special services are provided to assist military and overseas civilian voters participate in elections. If you are a military or overseas civilian voter who is eligible to vote in Michigan, you can find out:
Register to Vote
Go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program Web site (www.fvap.gov), download and complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA can also be used to obtain an absent voter ballot by e-mail, fax or regular mail.
Obtain an Absent Voter Ballot by E-mail, Fax or Regular Mail
Go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program Web site (www.fvap.gov), download and complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Check the appropriate box for e-mail, fax or mail. The FPCA can also be used to register to vote.
Check the Status of a Requested Absent Voter Ballot
Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) Web site and type in the requested information. Your absent voter ballot status will display along with other information.
Check Registration Status in Michigan
Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) Web site and follow instructions.
Learn More About Candidates and Proposals on the Ballot
Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) Web site and type in the requested information. Click on "View My Sample Ballot."
Contact Your City or Township Clerk in Michigan
Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) Web site. Click on "Find Your Clerk."
Obtain Assistance or Ask a Question
Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) Web site. Click on "Contact SOS."
Take Advantage of Discounted Mailing Costs for Overseas Voters
Go to the Overseas Vote Foundation Web site (https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org). Click on "Express Your Vote" and follow instructions. Important note: Only those voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) are eligible to use the Federal Post Card Application Form (FPCA) and receive an absentee ballot by e-mail or fax.
Covered voters include:
- A member of a uniformed service on active duty who is absent from his or her city or township of residence. (Voter can be inside or outside the United States.)
- A member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason of service in the Merchant Marine, is absent from his or her city or township of residence. (Voter can be inside or outside the United States.)
- A spouse or dependent of a member of a uniformed service or a member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from his or her city or township of residence. (Voter can be inside or outside the United States.)
- A civilian voter who is outside the United States and is eligible to vote in Michigan.
Election Inspectors
The City Clerk is also responsible for recruiting, hiring and training inspectors to work at the polls on Election Day. Inspectors can work all day, until the close of the polls, or just a partial day. The rate of compensation is: Inspectors $10.00 and Chairmen $10.50. To be able to work on a City election you are required to be certified through our election training program. Those training sessions will be conducted by the City at various scheduled dates. To qualify to be an Election Inspector, you must be a registered voter of Branch County and at least 16 years old. If you are interested in becoming an election inspector, complete the application Election Inspector Application and return to the City Clerk, One Grand Street, Coldwater, MI 49036, or contact the City Clerk at (517) 279-9501.
