OCTOBER 31, 2006

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today estimated that 3.4 million Michigan registered voters will participate in the Nov. 7 general election.

"The number of registered voters in Michigan is at a record level and we expect good turnout in the general election," said Land, Michigan's chief election officer. "With strong interest in the direction of state government and the need to decide on five statewide ballot proposals, participation is expected to be high for a gubernatorial election."

Currently, there are 7,180,778 million residents who are registered and eligible to vote. This compares to 7,164,047 in the 2004 general election and 6,797,293 in the 2002 gubernatorial election. Michigan's voting-age population totals 7.6 million, of which 94 percent are registered to vote.

A turnout of 3.4 million in this year's election would represent 44.7 percent of the voting-age population. The state set a turnout record for an off-year election in 2002 when more than 3.2 million residents voted.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and all polling places will have equipment available that is specially designed for voters with disabilities. The devices allow members of the disability community to mark an optical scan ballot in privacy and without assistance. Those interested in more information about their ballot or polling place are encouraged to visit www.michigan.gov/vote.

Qualified voters who want an absentee ballot mailed to them must submit their application in writing to their city or township clerk by 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Voters eligible for an absentee ballot may also vote in person at the city or township clerk's office anytime up to 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6.

All voters must provide proper identification at the polls if they did not satisfy the federal identification requirement on their registration form. The requirement applies to any voter who registered to vote by mail and has never voted in Michigan.

Poll workers will accept various forms of identification from voters who are subject to the requirement. These include a current and valid photo ID, paycheck stub, utility bill, bank statement or government document that lists the voter's name and address.

The federal identification requirement does not apply if voters personally delivered the registration form to their county, city or township clerk's office.

It is important to note that first-time voters who registered by mail cannot have absentee ballots mailed to them. They either must go to the polls or apply in person at their city or township clerk's office for an absentee ballot if they meet the criteria.

The requirement to vote in person does not apply to residents who hand delivered their registration form to their county, city or township clerk's office or Secretary of State branch office; or those who are 60 or older, disabled or are eligible to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

Michigan residents can obtain an emergency absentee ballot through 4 p.m. on Election Day if they become suddenly ill, or if they must leave their community due to sickness or death in the family.

All absentee voter ballots must be received by the clerk's office no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7. For more information, contact your local clerk's office.

The Secretary of State's Bureau of Elections will post unofficial election returns, as they are available, on its Web site. Go to www.Michigan.gov/sos and click on "Elections in Michigan."