The City Clerk's office oversees all elections in the City of Battle Creek, working in coordination with the Calhoun County Clerk.

The City of Battle Creek is divided into 5 Wards, which are made up of 21 Precincts. 

A registered voter must vote at the polling location which is determined by the voter's address. Check the Wards and Precinct Maps tab to determine your ward and precinct and check the Polling Locations tab for the address of your polling location.

Important Dates to Remember:

Date	Election	Last day to register to   vote in any manner other than   in person at the Clerk's Office
February 27, 2024	Presidential Primary	February 12, 2024
August 6, 2024	State Primary	July 22, 2024
November 5, 2024	General	October 21, 2024

 

                          

ABSENTEE VOTING

What is early voting?

In November 2022, Michigan voters approved a Constitutional Amendment that gives voters the right to early in-person voting.

The State Constitution requires Early Voting be held for all Statewide and Federal elections for 9 consecutive days before each election, for 8 hours each day, starting on the second Saturday before the election and ending the Sunday before.

Early voting allows a voter to cast a ballot before Election Day in an experience similar to voting in a precinct on Election Day. During an early voting period, voters are issued a ballot and can then vote and insert their ballot directly into a tabulator at their Early Voting Center (EVC).  Election Day voting will remain the same, at your current polling place from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

Where and when can City of Battle Creek voters early vote?

EARLY VOTING CENTER LOCATION:

Kool Family Community Center                                                                                                                                                                                    200 W. Michigan Avenue                                                                                                                                                                                            Battle Creek, MI 49017

The City of Battle Creek has partnered in an agreement with The City of Springfield, Bedford Charter Township and Pennfield Charter Township to provide early voting services for their voters together at one location.

The City of Battle Creek, Springfield, Bedford and Pennfield voters have the option to early vote at the Early Voting Center at Kool Family Community Center.

Registered voters from all other jurisdictions within Calhoun County can vote during the 9 day early voting period for all state and federal elections at the Calhoun County Building, 315 W Green Street, Marshall from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

DATES THAT EARLY VOTING WILL BE HELD AT THE KOOL FAMILY EARLY VOTING CENTER:

Saturday, February 17, 2024	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 18, 2024	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday, February 19, 2024	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 20, 2024	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 22, 2024	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, February 23, 2024	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 24, 2024	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 25, 2024	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

How is early voting different from absentee voting?

Both early in-person voting and absentee voting allow voters to vote their ballot prior to Election Day. However, there are important differences between the two choices in voting.

Absentee Voting

Early In-Person Voting

Absentee Voting allows you to vote your ballot at home or at the City Clerk’s Office.  You then submit your ballot in the signed absentee ballot envelope by mail, in person, or by drop box.  After your absentee ballot is received by the City Clerk’s Office, your absentee ballot is processed and tabulated by the Absent Voter Counting Board on Election Day.  Please note:  If you apply for and receive an absentee ballot, you may also turn in your completed ballot during early voting.

Early in-person voting is similar to how you would vote at your precinct on Election Day. Early voting is conducted at the Early Voting Center (EVC) where voters are issued a ballot, vote it at the EVC and then insert it into the tabulator, just like at a precinct.  Early voting ballots will be counted after 8 p.m. on Election Day.  Please note: Once you turn in your early voting ballot or absentee ballot during early voting, you cannot spoil the ballot and vote a new one.

Election Inspector

The City of Battle Creek is looking for people to work the polls on Election Day. By serving as an Election Inspector, residents can serve their community and earn extra income at the same time!
 
                                


Responsibilities
Inspectors will be stationed at 1 of 21 precincts (PDF) throughout the city and will be responsible for opening the precinct on Election Day, ensuring that voters are registered and are voting in the proper precinct, assigning ballots, assisting voters and closing the polls. Election Inspectors are paid for working on Election Day and will also receive additional payment for attending mandatory training prior to Election Day. The City is currently looking for Election Inspectors, Chairpersons, and Computer Operators.

Apply

A precinct Election Inspector for the City of Battle Creek shall be a qualified and registered elector of the state of Michigan, shall have a good reputation, and shall have sufficient education and clerical ability to perform the duties of the office. Anyone, ages 16 & 17 can also serve as an Election Inspector with a valid work permit.  An Inspector cannot be a challenger, candidate, member of a candidate's immediate family, or a member of the local Board of Canvassers. Anyone convicted of a felony or an election crime may not serve.  
A person must file an application in his own handwriting to the City Clerk at least 45 days prior to the election they wish to serve.

• Election Inspector Application (PDF)
• Under 18 Election Inspector Application with Work Permit (PDF)  **Please note that the last four (4) pages of this application MUST be printed in color or on yellow paper.
• State of Michigan Combined Offer of Employment and Work Permit/Age Certificate

To work any upcoming elections, please fill out the application and return it, along with a copy of your driver's license or state ID to:

The City Clerk's Office
10 N Division Street
Suite 111
Battle Creek, MI 49014

​Inspector Resources:

City of Battle Creek Election Inspector Training Presentation 
City of Battle Creek EPB Training Presentation
Processing AV Ballots in the Precinct
BOE Training:  Election Inspectors' Procedure Manual
BOE Training:  Election Day Issues

The Bureau of Elections also has training videos available to view on their YouTube channel.  View the BOE channel here.

Military and Overseas voters:

The Federal Voting Assistance Program works to ensure Service members, their eligible family members and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so - from anywhere in the world.
You may use the Federal Post Card Application to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot.  This form will allow you to receive an absentee ballot for all elections in the calendar year it was submitted.  You can chose to have the ballot e-mailed to you or sent to you via regular mail.  Submitting a VOTED ballot electronically, however, is not allowed. 

Please contact our office at (269) 966-3348 or visit     if you have further questions.

Voter Registration

Individuals are eligible to register to vote if they meet the following qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age by Election Day
• A resident of the State of Michigan and a 30-day resident of the City of Battle Creek
• A United States citizen

Visit the Secretary of State’s website to see if you are already registered to vote. If you are not already registered, fill out the Registration Application (PDF) and return the Clerk's Office or register online here (to use this convenient website, visitors must currently have a Michigan Driver’s License or Personal Identification Card and qualify to vote in the state of Michigan (i.e., citizen, age, residency)).
 

Voters may register in person, online or by mail up to 15 days prior to an election. You may register to vote by mail, at the Office of the City Clerk or at any Michigan Secretary of State Branch Office. 

Voters may also register within 14 days of an election, up to and including Election Day, only through the following:

1. Must be done in person at the Office of the City Clerk, and
2. Must show proof of residency in addition to proof of identity (or an ID that proves both).

Documents that may be accepted if additional proof of residency is required (these items must
include the applicant’s name and current address): • a current utility bill • bank statement • paycheck • government check • other government document.

By law, voters must be 30-day residents of a jurisdiction to be qualified to vote in that jurisdiction.

Crimes & Felonies
Attention registered voters who have been convicted and sentenced for a crime and are in confinement as a result of that conviction and sentencing: You may not vote during the time you are in confinement. Confinement is defined by Michigan Department of Prisons for the purpose of voting as incarcerated in jail or prison, under house arrest, on a tether or serving in a work release program.

Your voting rights are restored once you have completed your sentence, even if you have been convicted and sentenced for a felony charge. If you are charged with a crime, but not convicted or sentenced, you may vote even if you are in jail.

Contact the City Clerk's office at 269-966-3348 for directions on applying for an absentee ballot for the election you wish to vote in. If your sentencing prevents you from entering public school grounds and your precinct voting location is located in a school, please contact the City Clerk's office about voting absentee ballot.