The Leelanau County Clerk is the Chief Election Official of the County. The County Clerk administers all election functions required by law. Part of those duties include the supervision of all national, state and local elections and also includes the training of all election workers in the County.

In addition, the Clerk prepares and assists in the official Canvass of each election held in Leelanau County. The Clerk is also responsible for the Administration of the Michigan Campaign Finance Reporting Act for those candidates that file for office at the local level.

To register to vote, you must be at least 18 years old by Election Day and be a U.S. resident. You must also be a resident of Michigan and of the city or township in which you wish to register.

Voters may register in person or by mail. First-time voters who register by mail must vote in person in their first election, unless they hand-deliver the application to their local clerk, are 60 years old or older, are disabled, or are overseas.

To check your registration status, voters may visit the Michigan Voter Information Center. Residents will be able to find information on voting by absentee ballot, using voting equipment and contacting your local clerk. You can also find a map to your local polling place, as well as view and print out a sample ballot.

Please remember the polling place identification requirement: You will be asked to present a photo ID at the polls, such as a Michigan driver's license or identification card. If you do not have a Michigan driver's license or identification card, you can show the following forms of photo ID:

• Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
• Federal or state government-issued photo identification
• US passport
• Military identification card with photo
• Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, such as a college or university
• Tribal identification card with photo

If you qualify, you may choose to vote by absentee ballot on Election Day. As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee voter ballot if you are:

• Age 60 years old or older
• Unable to vote without assistance at the polls
• Expecting to be out of town on election day
• In jail awaiting arraignment or trial
• Unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons
• Appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence