Voting Terms Decoded!

Glossary

• Absentee Voting

  Absentee voting is an option to cast a ballot by mail or via drop off at a designated site. Some states require an excuse to vote absentee. Other states, like Michigan, do not. For more information, visit our Vote page.

• Ballot Proposal

  Ballot proposals can be used to amend the state constitution, establish a new law, or repeal a newly enacted law. A proposal allows you to vote directly on an issue, so it’s worth taking time to understand them and use your vote!

• Clerk

  Clerks are local public officials whose typical duties involve running elections and record keeping. Clerks can represent either a county or municipality (city/township) and are either elected or appointed.

• Early Voting

  Early voting allows voters to cast their ballots in person before Election Day. Because early voting options vary by state, you should check your state's election website for more information.

• Governors, Regents, and Trustees

  In Michigan, members of university governing boards of three public universities are elected by a statewide vote.

  A university governing board is responsible for making budgeting decisions, appointing faculty (including the university president), and approving campus projects and policies. In Michigan, members of the governing boards of three public universities are elected by a statewide vote. Members of these boards are called Governors (Wayne State), Regents (U-M), or Trustees (MSU).

  Each board consists of 8 members who serve 8-year terms. Elections for these members are staggered, with 2 positions for each board appearing on the ballot every 2 years. Each candidate for these boards is nominated by a political party, and the races appear on the partisan section of the ballot.

• Incumbent

  The incumbent is the candidate that currently holds the position or office listed on the ballot.

• Millage

  A millage is a property tax levied to fund a specific local government service or project. In Michigan, millages are common methods of funding schools, libraries, public safety, and other essential services.

• Non-partisan

  Non-partisan can have two meanings, depending on context. Non-partisan can refer to a resource that is not biased by an affiliation with any particular political party. Non-partisan can also refer to the Michigan ballot section, in which the candidates are not listed as running under a political party.

• Proof of Residency

  Proof of residency is a document that verifies where you live. In Michigan, the following documents are considered proof of residency for election purposes:

  • Michigan Driver’s License or State ID
  • Current utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck or government check
  • Other government document

  Source

• Registration

  Voter registration is the process by which eligible voters are added to the state voter rolls. All states except North Dakota require voter registration. In the states that require registration, you must be registered to vote before you can cast a ballot. Requirements, deadlines, and eligibility vary by state.

• Secretary of State

  The Secretary of State is a state-level official whose responsibilities often include managing elections in the state. Secretary of State's websites are frequently great resources for election-related information!

• Straight Party Ticket

  Voting a “straight party ticket” means voting for all the candidates of one party. To make this easier, some states (including Michigan) have straight party ticket voting, which is a ballot feature that allows you to vote a straight party ticket by checking a single box.

• Vote by Mail

  Vote by mail, or absentee voting, allows voters to receive and return their ballots via the mail.