Elections & Voting

ELECTIONS & VOTING

WHEN IS OUR NEXT ELECTION? The "Midterms" will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the township hall. Nine-day, in person, early voting is Saturday, October 24 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

WHO RUNS OUR ELECTIONS?
Some of any township clerk's most important statutory duties are to keep the voter registration files and to conduct elections. The CLT Clerk, Judy Van Meter has been in office since the fall of 2022, and before that worked decades in elections as a dedicated community servant. Now, a 35 year veteran in working elections, Judy VanMeter is currently assisted by her deputy, Sondra Halliday, in addition to a myriad of well trained and hard working election workers.

Office: (231) 352-9791 ext. 3
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.

KUDOS TO OUR ELECTION WORKERS:
We received a letter from the Michigan Fair Elections Institute which stated we were among a select group of clerks' offices to receive their SUNLIGHT AWARD as a VIGILANT STEWARD. Our township was recognized as one among 197 jurisdictions to show no duplicate voter registrations. This goes to show how hardworking, integral and efficient our clerk, Judy VanMeter and her deputy, Sondra Halliday, are in keeping records straight and up-to-date. Your election officials are exemplary.

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.