Elections

The Clerk is responsible for conducting all elections within the Township. This includes voting at the National, State, County, and Township levels and includes local and intermediate school districts, libraries and all special elections. Election administration duties also include voter registration, maintaining voter records, and training of election inspectors. 


Absent Voter Ballot Deadlines: 

  • The Clerk's Office will mail absentee ballots until 5:00 p.m. Friday prior to an election
  • The Clerk's Office will issue a ballot in person until 4:00 p.m. the Monday prior to an election. Ballot must be voted at the Clerk's Office on the Monday prior to an election.
  • The Clerk's Office will be open the Saturday before the election from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for election related business

Absent Voter Ballot Drop Box Locations:

Drop Box 1: Township Hall, 4363 Buno Road, Brighton, MI 48114

Drop Box 2: Township Fire Hall, 1580 Old US 23, Brighton, MI 48114

The Michigan Voter Information Center is a great resource and provides an assortment of information related to voter registration and election in Michigan. By visiting you can:

  • Determine if you are registered
  • Find your polling location
  • View a sample ballot
  • Learn to use the voting equipment
  • Find answers to frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What is an AV Ballot?  

An AV (Absent Voter) Ballot is for any registered voter to vote through mail, or at the Township Hall before election day. The ballot is sealed in an envelope and not opened/counted until election day.

  1. How can I return my AV Ballot?

Return to Brighton Township by mail with pre-paid postage, Township Hall (4363 Buno Road) roundabout drop box, Township Fire Hall (1580 S Old US 23) drop box, or the Clerks Office.

  1. Does Michigan have early voting?

No, we have AV Ballot voting. The ballot is not counted until election day in Michigan.

  1. When do AV Ballots get counted?

On election day. Absent Voter Ballots can start being counted at 7am on election day. This is when the AV Counting board starts putting ballots through the tabulator to be counted. 

  1. What is an AV Counting Board?

An AV Counting Board is a group of residents from Michigan (usually municipality residents) appointed by the municipalities Election Commission (Clerk and 2 Trustees for Brighton Township). It is required by law for the two major political parties (Republican and Democrat) to be represented on the AV Counting Board.  The size of the AV Counting Board is determined by the expected AV Ballots expected for that election.

  1. Is my ballot kept secret through the AV Counting Board process?

Yes, because of the secrecy sleeves being used, members of the AV Counting Board do not know what ballot came from what envelope. Ballots with secrecy sleeves are removed from the envelope and stacked in piles. Once the pile is of sufficient size the ballots are removed from the secrecy sleeves and then tabulated.  Keeping the identity of the voter safe.

  1. I received an AV Ballot and now I want to vote in person at the polls, can I still vote in person?

Yes, you can still vote in person. Bring the AV Ballot with you to your polling location and let the Election Inspector know you wish to surrender your ballot.  They will then give you a new ballot to vote at that precinct location.  

  1. I already turned my voted AV Ballot into the Clerk, can I still go to the polls to vote in person?

Depends. You can only vote 1 time. If you turned your AV Ballot into the Clerk and you want to vote in person, you must go to the Clerk and spoil the voted AV Ballot by 10am on the Monday before the election (day before election). You cannot vote in person if you already turned your voted AV Ballot in and did spoil before the deadline.

  1. What is the deadline to spoil my AV Ballot and get another AV Ballot?

By Mail: 5 pm on Friday before the election 

In Person: 10 am on Monday before the election
 


If interested in learning more about the AV (Absent Voter) Process, please click HERE.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/VI_Michigans_Absentee_Voting_Process_265992_7.pdf

If interested in learning more about Processing AV (Absent Voter) Ballots on Election Day, click HERE.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/VIII_Absent_Voter_County_Boards_265998_7.pdf