Elections & Voter Registration
Presidential Primary on Tuesday, February 27, 2024
For this election, voters must select which ballot style they would like to vote: Democratic Party or Republican Party.
Michigan holds a CLOSED Presidential Primary, meaning each voter will need to select which party ballot they would like to vote, Democratic Party or Republican Party. Your ballot selection will not be permanently retained & you will not be registered with a political party. If you will be voting by absent voter ballot, you will make your ballot selection on your application. Our office will send Ballot Selection forms to voters who have not provided this information to us. If you receive one, please complete and return it as soon as possible so that your ballot can be issued when it becomes available (postage-paid envelope is included). We are unable to issue a ballot until you make a party selection, but election law requires we follow up with each absent voter applicant who has not provided their ballot selection information.
Presidential Primary Ballot Selection Form - If you are on the Permanent Ballot List, complete and return this form to let us know which ballot you would like to receive for the February 27, 2024, Presidential Primary.
We expect to begin mailing absent voter ballots in late January 2024. Please update your address with us in writing if you would like your ballot mailed to an alternate address.
Email forms, applications, and address updates to the Township Clerk at clerk@watertownmi.gov.
Election Day Voting Hours: 7am - 8pm on February 27, 2024
Election Day Voting Location: Watertown Charter Township, 12803 S. Wacousta Road
Early, In Person Voting is Coming to Michigan Elections in 2024
The passage of Proposal 22-2 at the November 8, 2022, General Election has brought significant change to Michigan election law, including the introduction of nine days of early, in-person voting for state and federal elections. More information about the change is available from the Michigan Department of State here.
For the Presidential Primary on February 27, 2024, early voting will begin on Saturday, February 17, 2024 and run through Sunday, February 25, 2024. Watertown Charter Township registered voters who choose to use the early voting option may vote at either of the two early voting sites in Clinton County: DeWitt Charter Township or Bingham Township. Voters can receive, vote, and tabulate their ballot at the early voting site. Voters can also return and tabulate their absent voter ballot at the early voting site. Regardless of which method you use to vote...early at an alternate site in Clinton County, by absent voter ballot, or on Election Day in Watertown Township...only one ballot will be tabulated per voter.
Note: Watertown Charter Township is not an early voting site.
Registration Information
To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age by Election Day, not serving a sentence in jail or prison, and a resident of Michigan and the city or township where you are registering to vote for at least 30 days before Election Day. For more information, please visit the Michigan Secretary of State website, or contact the Township Clerk's Office.
Registering to vote 15 or more days before an election? Register at these locations:
- Online through the Michigan Voter Information Center
- Any Secretary of State branch office
- A designated state agency
- By mail (must be postmarked or delivered no later than 15 days before Election Day): Voter Registration Application
- Watertown Township Clerk's Office
Registering to vote 14 or fewer days before an election, including Election Day? Register in person at the Watertown Township Clerk's Office (residency verification required). Voters who register at the Township Clerk's Office on Election Day can receive a ballot and vote that day. Voters who register 14 or fewer days before the election may be issued a "challenged ballot," depending on the proof of residency provided. Proof of residency includes: Michigan driver's license or state ID, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check, or other government document.
Voter registration is not available at early voting sites.
Absentee Voting Information
All eligible and registered voters in Michigan may request an absent voter ballot without declaring a reason. To vote by absent voter ballot, return a completed Absent Voter Ballot Application (or apply for your ballot online). Once a completed application is returned and the voter's signature is verified, a ballot is mailed to the voter at their registered home address. Absentee ballots can not be forwarded by the USPS. If you would like to receive your ballot at a different address, include that information on the application.
Voters can track the status of their absent voter application and ballot at the Michigan Voter Information Center.
Note: Voters returning their application after 5pm the Friday before an election should do so in person at the Township Clerk's Office. Ballots can not be mailed to voters after 5pm the Friday before an election; after this time, the voter must pick up the ballot in person. Absent voter ballots can be issued until 4pm the Monday before the election.
Please include your phone number or email address on your absent voter ballot application so that we can contact you if there are signature issues.
Ballots can be returned 24/7 via secure drop box located at the Township Hall or mailed using the postage-paid envelope provided with your ballot.
Military and Overseas Voters:
Members of the military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote or request an absentee voter ballot by completing the Federal Post Card Application. Use of this form assists us in making sure these voters receive absentee voting materials in a timely manner. The application is valid for one calendar year.
District Information
District #
State House 77th
State Senate 28th
US Congress 7th
Voter ID Requirement in Effect
The Voter Identification Requirement is in effect for those casting a ballot in person on Election Day and for those who pick up their absentee voter ballot in person. Please read the Notice to Voters from the State Bureau of Elections for more information, including acceptable forms of identification. An affidavit can be completed for voters not in possession of picture identification.
Election Security
Hart InterCivic Voting System: For information regarding the security of the voting system and tabulator equipment utilized by Watertown Township.
Election Inspector
Helpful Links
- Federal Voting Assistance Program: Voting assistance for uniformed service members, their families, and citizens living outside the U.S.
- Michigan Voter Information Center
- Michigan Secretary of State