I hope you and your loved ones had a safe and happy Halloween weekend. I am emailing today to provide some last-minute election resources as we head into what is undoubtedly the most consequential Election Day of our lifetimes.

• Haven’t voted yet? Make sure to check out MEA’s voter guide at meavotes.org to find MEA-recommended candidates in your area. These candidates have been screened and interviewed by local MEA members like you and have earned the support of teachers and education support professionals.
• Still need to drop off your absentee ballot? Go to Michigan.gov/Vote to find your local drop box. You MUST submit your ballot to your local clerk, via a trip to their office or at an official drop box, by 8 p.m. on Election Day. I encourage you not to wait that long! Try to get it done today if you can. If your absentee ballot was lost or destroyed, go to your polling place tomorrow and let an election worker know. After signing an affidavit, you’ll be allowed to vote.
• Voting in person? You can find your polling place here. Please note that if you’ve already requested and received an absentee ballot but now want to vote in-person, you can. Simply take your absentee ballot to your polling place and surrender it to the poll worker. They will note in the record that your absentee ballot was surrendered and that you are voting in person.
• If you or someone you know isn’t registered to vote, there’s still time! Eligible citizens have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to get to their local clerk’s office, register to vote and complete an absentee ballot. A document verifying residency is required. This could include such things as a utility bill, a school ID or a government mail with the voter’s name. Here is a list of what is needed for same-day registration. To locate your local clerk’s office click here.
• Voter intimidation is illegal. If you witness anyone being harassed or intimidated at the polls, please report it immediately to an election worker and your clerk’s office. Please, also call the Election Protection Hotline at 833-MI-VOTES.

One last thing: Donald Trump is signaling that he’s going to attempt to declare victory tomorrow night and sue to stop the counting of mail-in ballots.

This naked subversion of our democracy cannot stand. That’s why MEA has signed on to a grassroots effort to ensure that every vote is counted. Please sign this pledge and join in the fight to defend our democracy and protect our vote.

In solidarity,

Paula Herbart
MEA President