Lapeer, MI

Who is eligible to vote?
To register to vote in Michigan, you must be:

An individual can register to vote up to, and including Election Day.  The following registration options are available:

• No later than the 15th day prior to the election: Register to vote in person at a Secretary of State branch office, a designated voter registration agency, the voter's county, city or township clerk's office or by mail.
• During the 14 days prior to the election, including Election Day: By applying in person at his or her city or township clerk's office.  A voter registering during this time period will need to show both proof of residency and proof of identity (or an ID that proves both - i.e. a current driver's license or personal identification card reflecting the address at which you are registering to vote).  Voters who register to vote on Election Day will be provided with a receipt to take to the precinct.

NOTE: A voter who registers to vote in-person at the Clerk's office on Election Day and opts to vote at the polls, MUST be in line at the polling location by 8:00 PM in order to be eligible to vote.
 
Documents that may be accepted as proof of residency include:
NOTE: The Secretary of State, county clerk and designated voter registration agencies are required to provide notice to individuals who register to vote at their location in the 14 days prior to Election Day that he or she is not eligible to vote in the next election unless he or she applies in person at his or her city or township clerk's office.

Does everyone have to register to be eligible to vote?
Yes, registration is required under Michigan Law.

Do I need to show identification in order to vote?
Michigan does have a voter identification requirement at the polls.  Voters are asked to present an acceptable photo ID such as a Michigan driver's license or identification card.  Please note that voters who do not have an acceptable form of ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls can still vote.  They simply sign a brief affidavit stating that they're not in possession of a photo ID.  Their ballots are included with all others and counted on Election Day.

The following types of photo ID are acceptable:

• Michigan driver's license or state-issued ID card
• Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
• Federal or state government-issued photo identification
• Military ID with photo
• U.S. passport
• Student identification with photo from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning
• Tribal identification card with photo

Do I need to re-register to vote?
You need to re-register anytime you move, change your address, or when you change your name.  Re-registration is necessary if for any reason your registration has been cancelled and it cannot be reinstated.

Do I need to re-register if I have moved away and moved back?
If you have moved to another city or township and registered to vote there, you will need to re-register to vote.  You may check with the local clerks office to see if you are eligible to vote in the City of Lapeer by calling 810.664.5231.

What if I am outside the U.S.?
If you are temporarily outside the U.S., you may use a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) form to register.  The FPCA forms are distributed through U.S. embassies and military bases.  A Michigan resident who moves and registers out of the state of Michigan is not eligible to re-register to vote in Michigan until a residency is established in Michigan.

If I moved within the City limits but did not change my registration, can I still vote?
Yes, you can still vote but you must vote at the precinct location for your registered address.  You will need to fill out a change of address form at your old precinct.  A new registration card will be mailed that will reflect your new address and correct precinct for voting.

How do I get a petition to run for Mayor or City Commission and what are the requirements to run for Mayor or City Commission?
A petition can be obtained at the City Clerk's office.  The minimum signature requirements per City Charter is 30 and no more than 60 signatures of registered voters within the City of Lapeer.  The candidate must be a resident of the City of Lapeer for at least one (1) year immediately prior to the last date for filing the original petition for office of Mayor or City Commission, be a qualified and registered voter of the City of Lapeer and not a defaulter to the City of Lapeer.

Where do I vote?
The City of Lapeer has four precincts.  Please note that you can only vote in the precinct where your residence is located.

Precinct #1 and Precinct #2
Trinity United Methodist Church
1310 N. Main Street
(across the street from Lapeer Regional Hospital)

Precinct #3 and Precinct #4
Calvary Bible Church
923 S. Main Street
(just north of the State Police Post on M-24; south of Lapeer Honda, on the east side of the road)