Know Your Ballot
Ballots are different depending on where you vote, so consider previewing your ballot ahead of time. The better you know the issues and candidates on your ballot, the better you can determine what’s most important to you and understand the power of your vote.
Preview your ballot
Some tips to help you make informed decisions:
Use trustworthy, unbiased sources
Nonpartisan resources can help you learn about candidate positions and priorities, state and local proposals, and what interest groups are involved in the election. As with any research, it’s important to read and compare multiple sources!
As a start, here are three helpful nonpartisan sites:
Michigan voters, also see: Bridge Magazine’s Election Guide 2024.
Keep an eye on endorsements and funding
To get a sense of what a candidate stands for or a proposal might accomplish, it can be helpful to see what organizations or public figures support them. For information on funding and endorsements, check Ballotready.org, VoteSmart.org, OpenSecrets.org, candidate websites, and, for Michigan races, Bridge Magazine’s Election Guide 2024.
Consider the impact of your vote, including “down-ballot”
Often the most direct impact you have as a voter is on the state and local races and ballot proposals farther down the ballot. Lesser-known officials like judges, city council members, prosecutors, or state senators can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life.
Make notes!
You can bring your notes or a sample ballot into the voting booth in Ann Arbor (elsewhere: check local rules!). Ballotready.org and Vote411.org also let you vote a “sample” ballot and email your choices to yourself.
It’s okay to have questions!
Do I have to vote for everything?
Nope! Leaving a race blank will not impact your other choices.
Why is my ballot divided into sections?
In Michigan, the ballot has three sections:
- Partisan Section: Includes races for local, state, and national offices, with candidates listed by their party affiliation.
- Nonpartisan Section: Here, you’ll vote for state judges and local officials. Candidates in this section do not have their party affiliations listed (although state Supreme Court candidates are nominated by political parties).
- Proposal Section: State and local ballot proposals allow you to vote directly on an issue.
What is a Straight Party Ticket?
It’s like “auto-fill”—this area gives you the option to fill in one box to vote for all the candidates of one party in the Partisan Section. If you prefer to vote for each race individually or for candidates from various parties, you can leave the Straight Party Ticket area blank.
Even if you decide to choose a party in the Straight Party Ticket area, you can still choose individual candidates from a different party in specific races and that choice will override the Straight Party Ticket in that race.
Do we vote for U-M Regents?
Yes. Since U-M is a public university, the entire state gets to vote for the U-M Regents. The Regents make budgeting decisions, appoint faculty (including the university president), and approve campus projects and policies. Similarly, all Michigan voters choose comparable officials at MSU (called Trustees) and Wayne State (Governors).
Do we vote for judges?
It depends on where you vote. In Michigan, we vote for judges on multiple levels of the court system. Candidates are not listed by their party affiliation. However, Michigan Supreme Court justice candidates are nominated by political parties.
What is an incumbent?
An incumbent currently holds the position or office listed on the ballot.
What’s a 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!
Proposals can be hard to understand. They are often presented in dense and confusing language. In Michigan, the nonpartisan Bridge Magazine’s Election Guide 2024 can help. They provide plain language explanations of each proposal as well as key information, including funding sources, backers, and opponents.
Proposals are often on the second side of your ballot—don’t forget to turn it over!
Can I look things up on my phone?
In some places, such as Ann Arbor, you can use your phone in the voting booth to do research. However, if you bring your phone, you cannot take pictures of the polling place, other people in the polling place, or other people's ballots. Be sure to check the rules with your local election office before you go.