Voter Registration
Voter registration is the first step to performing one's duties as a citizen. Once a person is registered, the next step is to make sure they become informed of the candidates, help elect qualified people, and get out and vote.
Are you registered to vote?
Check the Secretary of State website to see if you're registered to vote, and to find out WHERE your voting location is.
Register to Vote
Voter Registration Form
Visit the Secretary of State's website regarding
first time registering to vote, absentee voting or other such questions. (Read the directions carefully.)
It is an easy process and by registering to vote you are taking the first step in standing up for conservative values! It is your
right - do not wait another day!
Where to Vote:
Visit the Secretary of State's website or Publius to find out where you need to go to vote on the next election day. If you are registered the site will give you directions and other important contact information.
The Importance of Voter Participation!
If we as Christians desire to make a difference, it is vital that we encourage our fellow Christians to vote. As Edmund Burke, Christian Statesman, once said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." It is our responsibility to ensure moral leadership in our state and in our nation.
- In 1645, 1 vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England.
- In 1776, 1 vote gave us the English language instead of German.
- In 1875, France changed from a Monarchy to a Republic by 1 vote.
- In 1923, 1 vote gave Adolph Hitler control of the Nazi Party.
- In 1990, John Engler was elected Governor by only .5% of the vote.
- In 1990, Barbara Dobb defeated Debbie Schlussel in a Michigan State House primary by one vote.
Why Should Christians Vote?
"Select capable men ...who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain... and have them serve the people with
justice at all times." - Exodus 18:21-22
Apart from the fact that it is our patriotic duty and that we are commanded in the scriptures to elect godly rulers, Christians
can be extremely influential in determining the outcome of elections, both on the state and national level. Low voter turnout
is an unfortunate occurrence in most elections.
Voter apathy is as common among the Christian community as that of the secular. As responsible citizens it is our duty to
participate. Voters especially neglect primary elections. When turnout is exceptionally low, it is very easy for an well-organized
minority to influence the election. This means that although the Christian community is not the largest block of the electorate,
they can be the winning margin in some cases. Consider these statistics:
- In the 1992 primary, only 21% of eligible voters cast ballots. In 1994 that figure fell to 20%.
- The 1996 presidential election in Michigan saw only 55% of eligible voters cast ballots. The 1994 Gubernatorial election was even less with 46%.
- Polls following the 1994 elections show religious conservatives made up 33% of the national vote.
- Although 74% of Michigan's population is eligible to vote, 9% of eligible voters are not registered. This calculates out to over 394,900 eligible voters unregistered. How many unregistered voters are in your church?
To Be Eligible To Register To Vote You Must Be:
- A United States Citizen
- At least 18 years of age by Election Day
- A resident of Michigan and the city or township where you are applying to register to vote. Whenever you move to a new city or township, you must re-register to vote.
Conducting A Voter Registration Drive
Conducting voter registration is surprisingly easy. Here's how:
Set a date and location for your drive. Remember, to be eligible to vote
in any election a person must be registered 30 days before any election.
Consider holding a drive at your church, place of work, and/or service group
meeting.
Contact your township, city, or county clerk's office. They will provide
you with voter registration cards. These cards can be returned to them by
mail or delivered personally. (Note: Your applications are not valid until
accepted by the clerk's office. If applicants do not receive a Voter ID
card within three weeks, contact your clerk.)
Publicize the time and place of the registration drive. Hosting a drive
on two consecutive Sundays increases your chances of registering everyone.
Place a note in your church bulletin or on your office note board at least
two weeks before your drive. Ask the pastor to announce the drive from the
pulpit.
Set up a table at your location. Someone who is familiar with the registration
form and can answer any questions that may arise should attend the table.
Whoever is staffing the table should make sure that the following information
is filled in on the registration forms:
- The Name of the applicant
- The Address of the applicant
- The Birth date of the applicant
- Signatures by the applicant
Without these four items, the application for registration is automatically invalid. All other informational entries on the form are either optional or nonessential to the application's validity. Remember to turn in the completed form to the clerk's office before the 30-day deadline.
Mobilizing the Christian Vote
Objective: To telephone every member of your church in the two weeks prior to the election.
Download or print our helpful calling script to
help with "Get Out The Vote" phone calling. Also, please read this guide to
Do's & Don'ts for Church
Leaders.)
Step one: The Get Out The Vote Coordinator in your church should
recruit a team of individuals to help with phone calling. If someone is
unwilling to make phone calls, ask them if they would pray for 15 minutes
on the Tuesday before the election.
Step two: Divide up the church directory and make calls. Each
volunteer should be responsible for calling 10-20 families.
First call: Should be made two weeks before election day. This call is to remind voters the election is coming and to make sure they have obtained voter information on candidates. Voter guides should be made available in your church two Sundays before the election. Call CTV to find out if a voter guide is being produced for your area.
Second call: Should be made Monday night before the election between 5 and 9 p.m. and all day Tuesday before the polls close. Have voter information on candidates available in case of questions.
A third call may be necessary to ensure 100% participation.
Distributing Voter Guides
In the final days leading up to an election Voter Guides may be obtained from CTV and/or other organizations, such as
Michigan Family Forum or Michigan Right To Life, to educate church members. A Voter Guide is a comparative piece that gives
details on both candidates running for office, so the voter can make an educated decision and vote as to which person best
represents their values.
Suggestions on distribution of voter guides:
- Place in church bulletin
- Pass out at the doors
- It is best to make an announcement from the pulpit informing the congregation of the importance of obtaining a voter guide and getting out to vote on election day.
- Note: Do not put on cars in church parking lots.
For more information on how to obtain or effectively distribute voter guides, please contact our office.