Elections and Voting

In November 2022, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that gives voters the right to vote early and in person at Early Voting sites before statewide and federal elections. Communities may also choose to provide Early Voting for local elections. Early Voting allows a voter to cast a ballot before Election Day, in an experience similar to voting on Election Day. During the Early Voting period, voters are issued a ballot and can then insert their ballot directly into a tabulator at their Early Voting site.

Early voting will be available beginning with the 2024 presidential primary. It will be available for the 2024 August primary election, the November 2024 general election, and every statewide and federal election thereafter. The early voting period begins the second Saturday prior to Election Day and ends the Sunday before an election. However, communities may decide to provide additional days of early voting. Under state law, communities can offer up to 29 days of early voting.

Kalamazoo County registered electors, *with the exception of Pavilion Township, can vote at any one of four countywide early voting sites:

• Kalamazoo County Expo Center 2900 Lake St, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
• Portage Parks & Recreation Department 320 Library Ln, Portage, MI 49002
• Fetzer Center at WMU 2251 Business Ct, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
• Douglass Community Association 1000 W Paterson St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Elections in Michigan are administered by elected or appointed clerks who live in our communities, and by hundreds of community members who serve as election inspectors at polling sites. While city and township clerks operate polling locations in each precinct on Election Day, Kalamazoo County will be hiring Election Inspectors to work at consolidated Early Voting sites for the 9-day Early Voting period. Inspectors are paid for their time ($16/hour for inspectors, $18/hour for a site chairperson) and all must go through required trainings prior to being appointed to serve in an election. Poll workers are required to be registered voters in the State of Michigan. Additionally, you cannot be a challenger, candidate, member of a candidate's immediate family, or a member of the local Board of Canvassers. Anyone convicted of a felony or an election crime may not serve.

To apply you must complete the State of Michigan’s Election Inspector Application and Kalamazoo County’s addendum to the application. Sign and return this form by mailing or dropping off to Kalamazoo County Clerk's Office, 201 W Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 or by email to elections@kalcounty.com. For more information on what it means to be an Election Inspector, click here.