Elections & Voting

ELECTIONS & VOTING

NOVEMBER 2024 ELECTION RESULTS UPDATES:

Clerk: Judith VanMeter (461); Katherine Ralston (355)
Supervisor: Amy Ferris (458); Josh Toms (294)
Treasurer: Jill Marble (587)
Trustees: Greg Wright (428); Sue Webber (423); Rick Nielsen (338); Joe Gentle (240)
Renewed Road Millage up to 1.0 for 5 years: Yes (556); No (229).
For a complete tally of all Benzie posted by the county--unofficial until certified-- click here.
Now that Elections are over, what happens with all the political signage? Click here.

WHO RUNS OUR ELECTIONS?
Some of the Clerk's most important statutory duties are to keep the voter registration files and to conduct elections. The CLT Board appointed a new clerk in the fall of 2022. Judy VanMeter is in charge of running our elections; she is assisted by her deputy, Sondra Halliday, in addition to a myriad of election workers.
Office: (231) 352-9791
Cell: (517) 614-3767
Email: [email protected]

WHERE TO FIND ANSWERS TO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
Call the clerk or look online for procedures at Michigan Elections and Voter Information or the SOM Election Information Center if you

want to find out if you are registered
want to vote absentee ballot
if you want to vote in person but earlier than election day
need information if you are military/citizen living abroad
need special physical accommodations in order to vote
have any other queries

Click here to report Election Misinformation.

DID YOU KNOW?

Rules addressing attendee political behavior:
MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (EXCERPT) Act 116 of 1954 168.744 Prohibited Acts; Violation as misdemeanor; Sec. 744 says
    (1) An election inspector or any other person in a polling room, in a compartment connected to a polling room, or within 100 feet from any entrance to a building in which a polling place is located shall not persuade or endeavor to persuade a person to vote for or against any particular candidate or party ticket or for or against any ballot question that is being voted on at the election. A person shall not place or distribute stickers, other than stickers provided by the election officials pursuant to law, in a polling room, in a compartment connected to a polling room, or within 100 feet from any entrance to a building in which a polling place is located.
    (2) A person shall not solicit donations, gifts, contributions, purchase of tickets, or similar demands, or request or obtain signatures on petitions in a polling room, in a compartment connected to a polling room, or within 100 feet from any entrance to a building in which a polling place is located.
    (3) On election day, a person shall not post, display, or distribute in a polling place, in any hallway used by voters to enter or exit a polling place, or within 100 feet of an entrance to a building in which a polling place is located any material that directly or indirectly makes reference to an election, a candidate, or a ballot question. Except as otherwise provided in section 744a, this subsection does not apply to official material that is required by law to be posted, displayed, or distributed in a polling place on election day.
    (4) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Polling Places & Openly Carrying Firearms . . .Then and Now:
Prior, townships were often very limited (and even prevented) from regulating the open carrying of firearms during an election. HBs 4127 and 4128 provided clarity in this area. These bills have been signed by the Governor and are now Public Acts 157 and 158 of 2024.
Taking effect shortly, while the polls are open, a person cannot openly possess a firearm in or within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place or early voting site. Ballot collection sites, inside the township hall or outside drop boxes are also protected areas for the 40 days before the election.
Concealed carry is still permitted. If a person has a license to carry a concealed pistol, they may do so while voting. Of course, since it is “concealed,” the public should be none-the-wiser. Police officers may also continue to openly carry in furtherance of their public service and safety.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO BE AN ELECTION WORKER, WE NEED YOUR HELP:
Click here for information and/or contact the clerk directly.

The following are frequently asked questions for election workers:

Q: Are election workers paid?
A: Yes. An election worker is covered by the federal Minimum Wage Act; therefore, you will be paid an hourly wage no lower than the minimum wage. In the Crystal Lake Township upcoming FY 2023-4 budget, elections workers are slated to be paid $20.00/hour.

Q: Are earnings as an election worker taxable?
A: Yes. While the township does not deduct FICA (Social Security & Medicare) from election worker’s pay, election worker earnings are considered taxable income even though income taxes (Federal and/or Michigan) might not be withheld from your paycheck. You should consult with a tax advisor regarding your specific financial situation.

Q: Do I have to complete a W-4 Form?
A: Yes. As an election worker you are classified as a temporary part-time employee. You must complete the Federal W-4 and Michigan W-4 forms. You will have income taxes deducted from your paycheck depending on the allowances that you declare on your W-4 forms. Election worker income is not subject to FICA (Social Security and Medicare) as long as the calendar year total income is below the threshold as annually established by the Federal Guidelines.

Q: Will I receive a W-2 Form to file with my income tax returns?
A: Yes. Election workers receive W-2 forms.

Q: Are election workers eligible for unemployment benefits?
A: Yes. Election workers are common-law employees.

Q: Are election workers exempt from completing USCIS form I-9?
A: Yes. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue to adhere to the US Department of Justice memo dated Feb. 18, 1988, signed by John R. Schroeder.