City Clerk extends hours at South Washington Election Unit

TUESDAY, Feb. 11 — Lansing residents will have an extra 48 hours to vote prior to the March 10 election.

As the primary election approaches, Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope today announced additional office hours for the city’s South Washington Election Unit at 2500 S. Washington Ave. for residents to cast in-person votes and to register to vote.

The extended hours are as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday (March 9 only) – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday (Feb. 8, 15, 22 and 29) – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday (March 7) – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday (March 8) – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The South Washington office has free parking, a 24-hour drop box and is located along CATA Route #2. Voting will be available through Election Day. Absentee ballots can also be submitted to the City Clerk’s office on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Swope also highlighted important changes to Michigan election law. On the day before the election, ballots cannot be provided after 4 p.m. — except during an emergency. While there is no deadline to register to vote, absentee ballots can only be provided to people who are also registering to vote on the day of the election.

Registration can be completed in a single visit to the clerk’s office as long as residents provide proof of residency. Citizens also have the option of taking their ballot with them or can vote in their precinct. This option depends on which day they come in, according to state law and the new constitutional amendment.

Additionally, voters will be automatically registered to vote when applying for, updating, or renewing a driver's license or state-issued personal ID card. Absentee ballots are also provided to voters without requiring a reason for the request.