Need to Know: Voting in West Bloomfield

The Nov. 8 election is rapidly approaching, and that means one thing for West Bloomfield residents: prepare to participate in democracy.

Registering to vote

According to the township Clerk's Office, the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election in West Bloomfield is Oct. 11. Other requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have been a resident of West Bloomfield for at least 30 days.

You may register to vote at the township Clerk's Office (located inside ) or at any Secretary of State branch office. If you've moved to West Bloomfield since the last time you voted, you must register again. If you've moved within the city, however, the clerk's office can handle the change.

All Michigan voters must use the same residential address for voter registration and driver's license. Consequently, if you change your voter registration address, your driver's license will change, and vice versa.

Voter registration information can be found at Michigan.gov.

Voting absentee

According to the township Clerk, a separate absent voter ballot request must be submitted for each election unless the voter asks to be placed on the permanent absent voter ballot list. Those who qualify will be mailed an absentee voter ballot 75 days before the election.

If you're not a permanent absent voter, however, you can still submit an absent voter ballot. To obtain the ballot, call the clerk's office (1-248-451-4848) to have the ballot mailed to you or download and print the form for submission. When the form is completed, you can  mail, fax, or deliver it to the clerk's office — and you also can use the township's drop box at Town Hall to deliver it any time.

You can receive an absentee ballot if:

• You are unable to vote without assistance.
• You are 60 or older.
• You expect to be absent from the city on Election Day.
• You are in jail, awaiting arraignment or trial.
• You have been assigned to work as a precinct worker in a precinct other than where you are registered.
• You are unable to attend the polls because of religious beliefs.

If you are temporarily outside the United States, you can use a federal postcard application (FPCA) to apply for an absent voter ballot. The FPCA must be signed under oath unless you, your spouse or your parents are serving in the armed forces or merchant marine.

All ballots must be back to the clerk's office by 8 p.m. Nov. 8, Election Day. If you're curious, track your absentee ballot with the Oakland County Absentee Ballot Tracker.

Precincts in West Bloomfield

All precincts are in the 9th Congressional District, 48th District Court, 2nd Court of Appeals and 6th Circuit Court. All of West Bloomfield is in the 15th State Senatorial District except for one street in Precinct 5.

Precinct 1 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 17
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrance:  ­ northwest rear of building

Precinct 2 ()

• County Commissioner District: 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Walled Lake
• Handicapped Entrance: all entrances

Precinct 3 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Pontiac
• Handicapped Entrance: ­ all entrances

Precinct 4 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrance:­ north side of building

Precinct 5 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 5
• State Legislative District: 43
• School District: West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrances: all entrances

Precinct 6 ()

• County Commissioner District: 16 and 17
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Bloomfield Hills
• Handicapped Entrance: north side of building

Precinct 7 ()

• County Commissioner District: 17
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrance: ­ rear of building

Precinct 8 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 43
• School District: Walled Lake
• Handicapped ­ Entrance: all entrances

Precinct 9 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 17
• State Legislative District: ­ 39
• School District: Farmington
• Handicapped Entrance: ­ east side of building

Precinct 10 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16 and 17
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Birmingham
• Handicapped Entrance: ­ front of building

Precinct 11 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 17
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrance: ­ rear and north side of building

Precinct 12 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Walled Lake
• Handicapped Entrance: ­ rear side of building

Precinct 13 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Bloomfield Hills
• Handicapped Entrance: main entrance

Precinct 14 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 5
• State Legislative District: 43
• School District: Waterford
• Handicapped Entrance:­ north side of building

Precinct 15 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrance: all entrances

Precinct 16 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Bloomfield Hills and West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrance: north side of building

Precinct 17 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills
• Handicapped Entrance: south side of building

Precinct 18 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Walled Lake
• Handicapped Entrance: all entrances

Precinct 19 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 17
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrance: northwest side of building

Precinct 20 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 17
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Walled Lake and West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrance: ­ rear south side of building

Precinct 21 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 17
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrance: ­ south side of building

Precinct 22 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Walled Lake
• Handicapped Entrance: ­ north second door

Precinct 23 ()

• County Commissioner District: 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Walled Lake
• Handicapped Entrance: all entrances

Precinct 24 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: Walled Lake
• Handicapped Entrance: ­ north second door

Precinct 25 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 5
• State Legislative District: 43
• School District: West Bloomfield and Walled Lake
• Handicapped Entrances: east side of building

Precinct 26 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 17
• State Legislative District: 39
• School District: West Bloomfield and Walled Lake
• Handicapped Entrances: main entrance

Precinct 27 ()

• County Commissioner District: ­ 16
• State Legislative District: 43
• School District: West Bloomfield
• Handicapped Entrances: north end