Voter Information

...from the desks of Wendy Van Huis, Clerk, and Mary Geurink, Deputy Clerk

Clerk’s Corner

August Election 2010

On August 3 there will be the State primary election. When voting a State primary ballot, you will be voting in ONLY ONE PARTY SECTION. It will be either the Republican section or the Democratic section. This ballot will also include two County Proposals and one Laketown Township Proposal.

Allegan County Proposals:

1. Sheriff’s Office and Corrections Center Bond Proposition
2. Senior Millage Renewal

Laketown Township Proposal:

1. Fire, Road, Bicycle Path and Drain Millage Renewal Proposition

A sample ballot is included for viewing on the State of Michigan web site. You can access a sample ballot by going to Michigan.gov/vote. Enter the information requested, and the screen will allow you to view the actual ballot for our Township.

Absentee ballots are available. If you need to vote absentee, just call (335-3050) or stop in the Township office during regular office hours (7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday).

Just as a reminder if you are in Precinct 2 (Hamilton School District), you will vote at the Graafschap Fire Station. Precinct 1 (Holland School District) and Precinct 3 (Saugatuck School District) voters will vote at the Township Hall. If you have a question regarding your precinct, please call the office.

The last day to register for the August primary is July 6!

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on election day! Remember to vote!

General Voting Information

For most residents, voting remains the most direct means of participation in our government. 

For an Application for Absentee Voter's Ballot form, click here.

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding voting in general:

In which precinct do I live?  The three precincts of Laketown Township are defined by the three school districts in the township:  Holland (Precinct 1); Hamilton (Precinct 2); and Saugatuck (Precinct 3).  To determine in which district you reside, consult your tax bill.  If your school tax dollars go to Holland schools, you live in Precinct 1.  If your school tax goes to Hamilton schools, you live in Precinct 2.  If your school tax goes to Saugatuck schools, you live in Precinct 3.

Where do I vote?  Residents living in Precinct 1 and Precinct 3 vote at the Laketown Township Office.  Residents who reside in Precinct 2, the Hamilton School District, vote at the Graafschap Fire Station.

How do I register to vote?  You may register to vote in person at the township office or at any Secretary of State office.  You may also register by mail, but some restrictions apply.   The preferred method to register to vote is in person.  There is, of course, no fee to register.

Who is eligible to vote?  In order to vote you must be:  a citizen of the United States, a resident of the State of Michigan (and will be at least a 30-day resident of your city or township by election day), a registered voter, and 18 years of age on or before election day.

How do I file an absentee ballot?   To vote as an absentee voter, you must fill out and sign an absentee voter application for each election.  The application may be mailed to you.  To request an absentee voter application, call the township office.  Once the application is approved by the Deputy Clerk, you will receive your absentee ballot.  You may request to be put on the permanent AV (Absentee Voter) list.  Once on that list, you will receive your application automatically in the mail before each election.  For more information about absentee ballots, call Mary Geurink at the township office 616.335.3050.

Where do I vote for a school election?  Due to recent legislation, ALL school elections are held at your local precinct polling location for general elections, NOT at the schools.  Residents living in Precinct 1 (Holland School District) and Precinct 3 (Saugatuck School District) vote at the Laketown Township Office.  Residents who reside in Precinct 2 (Hamilton School District) vote at the Graafschap Fire Station. 

If you have any questions, please call the township office at 616.335.3050 and ask for Wendy or Mary, or email Mary at mary@laketowntwp.org