Ingham County officials are visiting jail inmates to help them register to vote on November 3.
County Clerk Barb Byrum and Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth will meet with about 100 county inmates to ensure they’re ready to cast their ballot. Michigan law allows people to vote before and after serving their sentences, but not during. Byrum says it’s important for inmates awaiting trial or sentencing to know they’re not forgotten.
“These are our neighbors, these are our family members…and we need to make sure that their voice is heard and they’re afforded the opportunity to exercise their right to vote,” said Byrum.
The deadline to register to vote online or by mail is Monday, October 19. Byrum says so far, more than 53 percent of requested absentee ballots have been returned to her office.