City launches mail-out for thousands of absentee ballots
LANSING — The Lansing Elections Office will begin mailing approximately 23,000 absentee ballots on Friday to voters enrolled on the city's permanent absentee list, officials said Wednesday. City Clerk Chris Swope and longtime election volunteer Sherryl Stephens outlined the office’s preparations and emphasized the convenience and safeguards tied to voting by mail.
Election staff spent the past week preparing the ballots — a process that included printing, addressing and applying tracking information — work that the clerk’s office described as labor-intensive and time-sensitive. Stephens, who has volunteered with the clerk’s office for more than 25 years, said the process requires coordination among paid staff and volunteers to meet deadlines and ensure accuracy.
“It does get to be crunch time when you see more ballots that haven't been stuffed and being ready for when they actually pick up,” Stephens said.
Swope encouraged voters to consider voting absentee, noting that the upcoming ballot contains multiple items and spans two sides. He said receiving a ballot at home gives voters the opportunity to review propositions and choices carefully rather than encountering surprises at the polls on Election Day.
“This is a long ballot. We've got two sides on it. We've got several proposals that people might not be aware of,” Swope said. “You get that ballot at home, and you get to figure it out before you walk in Election Day and suddenly realize you have to vote on something that you didn't know about.”
Deadlines, security and return options
The Lansing clerk's office reiterated several important deadlines and security features related to absentee ballots:
- Ballots to be mailed on Friday are for voters on the city’s permanent absentee list.
- Each mailed ballot includes a unique tracking number linked to the voter’s registration.
- The clerk's office said additional security measures are embedded to protect ballot integrity.
Residents who still want to request an absentee ballot have time to do so. The city can issue ballots by mail up until the Friday before the election, and voters can obtain an absentee ballot in person up to 4 p.m. the day before the election, Swope said.
Voters may return completed absentee ballots in any of the following ways:
- Mail back to the Lansing Elections Office (postage and mailing time apply)
- Drop off at the Elections Office in person
- Use designated drop boxes, including locations outside the Elections Office and the Foster Community Center
The clerk’s office emphasized planning ahead, especially with a ballot described as lengthy. Volunteer and staff roles both play a part in administering elections in Lansing, from preparing mailed ballots to staffing polling places on Election Day.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ballots being mailed | About 23,000 (to permanent absentee list) |
| Mail request deadline | Up to the Friday before the election |
| In-person absentee deadline | Until 4 p.m. the day before the election |
Clerk Swope and volunteers urged Lansing voters who plan to use absentee ballots to watch for mailed packets and to follow the included instructions carefully. For those who prefer to vote in person, the clerk’s office reminded residents that polling places will remain available on Election Day and that volunteers like Stephens often balance in-person service with personal voting responsibilities.
As the mailing begins, Lansing election officials said they will continue monitoring returns and responding to voter questions to help ensure ballots are received and counted according to state rules.
