Election Day is Approaching: Will You Vote?

It's almost time to exercise democracy. On Tuesday, Clawson voters will head to the polls for the presidential primary election and the nonpartisan local election, in which the city is asking for a 4.2-mill tax increase.

City Clerk Machele Kukuk said she is expecting a 25 percent-28 percent voter turnout next week, which she said is about average for a presidential primary. In the 2008 presidential primary, 25 percent of registered voters cast their votes. Republican Mitt Romney was the favored candidate in Clawson in 2008.

In the 2012 primaries, Romney has already won 105 delegates, compared with Rick Santorum's 71. A candidate needs 1,144 delegates to seal the GOP nomination. Political analysts say that if Romney doesn’t win Michigan, it would be a huge blow to his campaign.

Kukuk said the local election this year could affect the voter turnout in Clawson.

"Money issues bring out more people," Kukuk said.

Clawson polls will have three versions of the ballot available for voters: a Republican Party ballot, which lists 11 candidates and the millage issue; a Democratic Party ballot, which lists only President Barack Obama and the millage issue, and a no-party declaration ballot that lists only the millage. (See attached PDFs)

As of Tuesday, the city clerk's office had distributed 616 absentee ballots, and 471 have been turned in.

If you plan to vote

For those planning to vote in Tuesday's election, here are a few additional tips:

Where to vote: There are precincts at Kenwood School, City Hall, Hunter Community Center, Clawson High School, Baker Administration Building and Schalm School. If you're not sure where you are assigned to vote, check your voter identification card or check the precinct map on the city's website. The polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

What to bring: Voters must present a photo ID to vote, such as a driver's license, U.S. passport, student ID card with photo or a federal or state government-issued photo ID.

Absentee ballots: Voters must turn in applications for absentee ballots by 2 p.m. Saturday. You can also vote by absentee ballot in person through 4 p.m. Monday at the city clerk's office in City Hall. The city will accept absentee ballots until the polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

For additional information, contact the city clerk's office at 248-435-4500.