The November General Election

On November 5, 2024, Ada Township and governments across the state will host the General Election! Polls will open promptly at 7:00 A.M. and will close at 8:00 P.M. 9 Days of early voting and absentee voting will proceed election day, giving voters multiple avenues to cast their vote. Below are some FAQs we commonly get!

Will USPS forward my ballot if I have a summer/winter home in another state?

USPS will not forward your ballot even if you are having your mail forwarded to a temporary address. The ballot will be delivered to the address on the envelope. If there is a forward on the mail, it will come back to us.

What if I’m temporarily away from my home?

On your absentee ballot application, there is a box to put a temporary address if you’d like to have your ballot sent to a different address than where you are registered. Members of the Permanent Ballot list MUST notify the Clerk's office when they will be away, as election mail is not forwarded.

What if I’m overseas on Election Day?

You can fill out a federal postcard application if you are currently living outside of the United States. If you go to FVAP.gov and fill out the FPCA, you can be sent a ballot overseas. You can also complete this process via email if you are a FPCA voter.

Can I pick up a ballot for my kids, spouse or parents?

No, you may only pick up your own ballot if you come to get your absentee ballot in the clerk’s office. We are not able to hand you anyone else’s ballot besides your own. You will also need your photo ID with you in order for us to hand you your ballot, otherwise, we will mail it.

What if I make a mistake?

We put instructions in every ballot envelope we send out. If you have made a mistake on your ballot, you may bring it back into Township Hall to have it spoiled and be reissued a new one. Please follow the directions carefully.

Is power of attorney acceptable for voting?

Everyone must sign their own absentee ballot and application. Power of attorney is not acceptable.

Why am I receiving additional mailings and emails about my absentee ballot?

These materials come from third-party organizations. We send only official absentee applications and ballots to voters who have requested them. We do not send additional election-related emails or mailings. If you submitted an absentee ballot application, you will be sent an official absentee ballot from us.

CALL FOR INSPECTORS

Ada Township is in need to tech savvy individuals to join our team of election inspectors! Election Inspectors are paid positions that are trained to work in the precincts on Election Day, process absentee ballots in absentee voter counting boards, or run early voting sites. They are made up of republicans and democrats and work under the direction of each jurisdiction’s local clerk. Trainings are provided by Kent County at various locations around the area.

Ada Township Election Inspectors are paid $15/hr and $45 per training! Our inspectors are fed breakfast, lunch and dinner on Election Day. To see the full range of responsibilities, more information and fill out an application, visit our job postings page.

Voter Registration

To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age (by Election Day), and an Ada resident for 30 days (by Election Day).

Online Voter Registration
You must have a valid Michigan driver's license or State ID card
Register at michigan.gov/VoterRegistration

In Person Voter Registration
Complete the Michigan Voter Registration/Change of Address Form
Bring the form and photo ID to one of the following offices:
Ada Township Clerk's Office: 7330 Thornapple River Drive SE, Ada MI 49301
Any Secretary of State Branch Office (see michigan.gov/sos/ for info or to schedule an appointment)
Kent County Clerk's Office, 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids (see accesskent.com for info)

Mail-in Voter Registration
Complete the Michigan Voter Registration/Change of Address Form
Mail to: Ada Township Clerk, PO Box 370, Ada MI 49301
Email to: elections@adatownshipmi.com

Voter Registration within 14 days of an election must be in person at the Ada Township Clerk's Office.
You must register to vote prior to appearing at your voting location on Election Day / Early Voting days.

• Register in person, online or by mail up to 15 days prior to Election Day (October 20 for the November 5 election)
• Within 14 days of the election (October 21 for the November 5 election), register in person at the Township Clerk's Office located at: 7330 Thornapple River Drive SE, Ada MI 49301, providing proof of identity (photo ID) and proof of residence. A Michigan driver's license/State ID with current residence address satisfies both requirements.
  • Photo ID = Michigan driver's license or State ID; current license or ID from another state, federal or state government issued photo ID; U.S. passport; student ID with photo; military ID card with photo; or tribal ID card with photo
  • Residence (must include applicant's name and current address) = MI driver's license or State ID; utility bill; bank statement; paycheck; government check; or other government document
• On Election Day / Early Voting days, a newly registered voter may choose to either vote an absentee ballot at the Township Clerk's office or receive a receipt and travel to their precinct/voting location to vote

You can utilize the Michigan Voter Information Center to verify your registration, change your address, or register for an absentee ballot.

Absentee Ballot Information

Absentee voting (also known as vote by mail or vote from home) is a safe and convenient process. All registered voters can request an absentee ballot; you are not required to declare a reason to vote absentee. A request must be made in writing and signed by the voter. Your signature is verified when you apply and when you return your ballot.

Apply for your absentee ballot:

• Complete an application online at www.michigan.gov/vote
• Complete an absentee ballot application form
• Submit a letter or postcard noting your name, election date, address, signature and date
• Request a ballot in person at the Ada Township Clerk's Office
• Military/Overseas voters may submit a Federal Postcard Application
• Voters with print disabilities may request an accessible electronic ballot

Submit your absentee ballot application:

• In person = Ada Township Clerk's Office, 7330 Thornapple River Drive SE
• Place in drop box = Parking Lot located at 7330 Thornapple River Drive SE. Drop Box is under 24hr video per State of Michigan requirements.
  
• By mail = Ada Township Clerk, PO Box 370, Ada MI 49301. Your purple return envelope is already addressed and postage is paid!
• By email = elections@adatownshipmi.com (NOTE: Applications only! We are not able to receive ballots via email)

Ada Township is recommending residents who always vote absentee be placed on the permanent ballot list, where an application for absent voter is not required, and voters are automatically mailed ballots for every election they are eligible for.

Request your absentee ballot - Deadlines:

• To receive an absentee ballot by mail, an application must be received by noon the Friday prior to Election Day
• To receive an absentee ballot in person to take home, you must appear in person by 4 p.m. on Monday, the day before Election Day
• To register to vote in Ada and receive an absentee ballot, you must appear at Township Hall with proof of residency by 8 p.m. on Election Day
• All absentee ballots must be returned to Township Hall by 8 pm on Election Day (see "Return your absentee ballot" below)

Receive your absentee ballot: Beginning September 26, 2024

• In person - if you apply in person within 40 days of the election, we can hand you a ballot. You can only receive a ballot for yourself; you cannot pick up a ballot on behalf of someone else.
• By mail - we begin mailing ballots to voters who have applied about 40 days prior to the election. If we receive your application within 40 days of the election, we process the request within 2 business days and you will generally receive your ballot by mail within 3 - 5 business days. (This timeline applies to inner Township mailings, please plan for an additional 7-10 days for ballots heading outside of Kent County.)

Return your absentee ballot:
A postage-paid return envelope is provided and the envelope must be signed by the voter in the signature box.

• By mail - the return envelope is addressed to the Ada Township Clerk's Office
• In person - bring in to Ada Township Clerk's Office, 7330 Thornapple River Drive SE
• In drop box - Parking Lot located at 7330 Thornapple River Drive SE. Drop Box is under 24hr video per State of Michigan requirements.
• At Election Day or Early Voting precinct - you may appear at the Early Voting site (Ada Township Hall, 7330 Thornapple River Drive SE) or your regular precinct on Election Day (7am-8pm), complete the application to vote, and place your absentee ballot in the tabulator
• Deadline: Your ballot must be received at Ada Township Clerk's Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks are not accepted. Your ballot cannot be processed at any other city/county/township office.
• Military and Overseas voters absentee ballots will be accepted if postmarked by Election Day and received within 6 days of the election (November 11, 2024)
• Track your absentee ballot at www.michigan.gov/vote

Need to spoil your ballot or be issued a new one due to damage or loss? If you make an error filling out your absentee ballot, or if it is lost, damaged, or was never received, you can contact the Township Clerk's office to spoil and reissue your ballot. Requests are made in writing with an affidavit form and can be filled out in person with our Clerk's office until October 25, 2024 at 5:00 P.M.

Early Voting

In November 2022, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment that gives voters the right to vote early in-person at early voting sites before statewide and federal elections. Early voting allows a voter to cast a ballot before Election Day, in an experience similar to voting on Election Day.

Ada Township has ONE Early Voting location, where residents of all 6 Precincts can cast their ballot:

ADA TOWNSHIP HALL, RIX CONFERENCE ROOM, 7330 THORNAPPLE RIVER DRIVE SE, ADA MI 49301

Saturday October 26, 2024 thru Sunday November 3, 2024. Daily from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M.