Hazel Park woman raises awareness for early in-person voting

HAZEL PARK — In November 2022, Michigan voters approved an amendment to the state constitution that gives them the right to vote early and in person for statewide and federal elections, a law that first went into effect this year with the presidential primary.

It was just before the August election when Kathryn Ellywicz, of Hazel Park, was driving past the Hazel Park Recreation Center and saw a sign out front reminding her of this fact. She decided to seize the opportunity.

“I’m so busy — as a mom, with work, all my activities. I was just out doing errands when I saw the sign and thought to myself, ‘Oh, my gosh, that’s right — I can vote right here and now,’” she said. “I have voted absentee before, when I was at college or at work. I know it’s legitimate. But I still like casting my ballot and seeing it go into the tabulator.

“So I went inside and did it that day,” she said. “I got to chatting with the volunteers and asked how many people were coming in. They said not many know about (early in-person voting). So I left thinking to myself that maybe I can speed up that process and help spread the word.”

Since then, Ellywicz, along with friends and family, have been handing out yard signs advertising the right to vote early and in person, placing them at municipal sites with city approval and at participating businesses. They have also been disseminating flyers with more information.

All voters in the state of Michigan can cast their ballots early and in person for at least nine consecutive days ending on the Sunday before Election Day, Nov. 5, at early voting centers. The sites must be open at least eight hours on each of those days.

In Hazel Park, early in-person voting started Oct. 26 and runs through Nov. 3 at the Hazel Park Recreation Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd., where ballots can now be cast in person from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day except Oct. 31, when the time is noon to 8 p.m. instead.

The same dates and times apply to voters in Madison Heights, but their early voting site is the Royal Oak Senior Center at 35000 Marais Ave., north of 13 Mile Road and east of Crooks Road in Royal Oak.

Ellywicz said she understands when people say they don’t feel like voting, but she still encourages them to see the good it can accomplish.

“Sometimes people find it hard to see how the result of the election affects their everyday life. And we’re just so busy now — as Americans, we have a lot going on. And there’s so much noise with the nonstop ads and news — it’s easy to feel numb and apathetic. So I empathize with people who don’t feel like voting, because it can be hard when you already have so many things to think about, and now you’re adding that one extra thing to your plate,” Ellywicz said.

“I understand it, emotionally, but still, voting does make a difference,” she said. “It’s a civil right that we shouldn’t take for granted. No matter what issue is important to you, it’s important you make your voice heard. And with so many ways to vote this year, there are less barriers than ever before.”

Voting absentee is another option. To submit an application, visit mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication/Index. The application will be submitted to your local city clerk’s office. The ballot will be mailed out the same day the application is received, with a self-addressed stamped return envelope that the clerk must receive by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

The deadline for applications requesting an absentee ballot in the mail is 5 p.m. Nov. 1. Voters have until 4 p.m. Nov. 4 to request an absentee ballot in person at the city clerk’s office at City Hall, 111 E. Nine Mile Road in Hazel Park or 300 W. 13 Mile Road in Madison Heights.

Voting hours on Election Day are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Precinct maps for voters in Hazel Park and Madison Heights are available at hazelpark.org and madison-heights.org, respectively.

The city clerks say no matter which option you choose, you can rest assured your ballot will be counted.

Lisa Mayo, the city clerk of Hazel Park, explained that all absentee ballots are verified through signatures on file with the Michigan Department of State, while early in-person voting and Election Day voting are verified by state-issued ID or signed affidavits of identity.

Cheryl Rottmann, the city clerk and deputy city manager of Madison Heights, added via email, “We have many processes that are in place for security and accuracy, including the use of paper ballots so that if necessary, results can be replicated; testing of voting equipment prior to Election Day; public testing of voting equipment to show the results are being accurately tabulated; signature verification of absentee applications and ballots to ensure validity of ballots; as well as many redundancies built into the process.

“We also have video surveillance of our drop box, clerk’s office, and where our tabulation equipment and returned ballots are stored for transparency,” she said. “Voters, please remember to be patient on Election Day or at the early voting site, since this election is typically a high turnout election and lines can be expected. Your fellow citizens and neighbors are working the precincts, so be gracious and appreciative of their service in helping to administer the election and ensure your right in the democratic process.”   

For more information on how to vote, call the Hazel Park city clerk’s office at (248) 546-4064, or the Madison Heights city clerk’s office at (248) 583-0826.