OCTOBER 1 • 2020 | 23
to represent 65 percent of reg-
istered voters. They found that
most city or township halls
did have some sort of a drop
box, although not necessarily
exclusively for voting and not
accessible 24/7. Drop boxes
also could be used for matters
involving other municipal
services, such as paying water
bills.
“MERA didn’
t have an
[intentionally] persuasive
campaign,
” Steinberg said.
“We learned, as we were doing
our survey, that just asking
questions — about expected
increases in absentee voting
and whether they planned
to expand or upgrade the
capacity of drop boxes — a
lot already had that on their
minds, but I think our bring-
ing it up especially early on
started making people think
[more] about the subject.
“
As we talked to more
clerks, especially in the larger
jurisdictions, we talked about
putting drop boxes offsite [and
away from clerks’
offices]. It’
s
very easy to use city prop-
erty for drop boxes, and fire
stations are pretty secure by
being staffed 24-7. That seems
to be a go-to where some of
these jurisdictions did it.
”
QUICK PICKUP
An important part of using the
drop boxes is that ballots are
expected to be picked up and
enter the clerk’
s domain in less
than 24 hours. Those mailing
their ballots are being advised
to post them three weeks
ahead of Nov. 3.
Voters unable to go to poll-
ing sites or drop boxes only
can ask close family members
or those living at the same
address to place signed and
sealed ballots in drop boxes
in the jurisdiction area of
the person whose ballot is
involved. Of course, there are
no postage requirements when
using drop boxes.
Right now, there are two
current drop box initiatives
being pursued by MERA.
The first is hoping to con-
vince clerks to include a sheet
providing drop box location
information as they send out
each blank ballot although
this information can be
obtained with a phone call to
each clerk’
s office or a visit to
Michigan.gov/Vote and click-
ing on the “Who is my clerk?”
choice. Another initiative is
identifying a Michigan metal
fabricator who can make drop
boxes that are becoming
scarcer as more jurisdictions
add them.
“It’
s never been easier to
vote in the state of Michigan
than it will be this year,”
Steinberg said. “I’
d like to see
a stronger voting ethic with
more people voting.”
Absentee ballots were
expected to be sent out at the
end of September.
Brian Steinberg in front of a
ballot drop box.
To register,
visit jfsdetroit.org/fallfixup
or contact Sarah Strasberger at
248.592.2267 or
sstrasberger@jfsdetroit.org.
Joi
n
us
Nov
ember
8
t
h!
Fi
x
Up
i
n
your
Communi
t
y
Invite your family, friends or members of your
“pod” to help rake leaves and winterize homes
(outdoor only) of older adults served by
Jewish Family Service.
ALL AGES WELCOME
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
27375 Bell Road, Southfield
Drive-thru contact-less supply pickup
by appointment starting at 9am
Fi
x
Up
t
he
Cemet
ery
Young adults will be working at the historic
B’nai David Cemetery to restore and beautify
the grounds.
YOUNG ADULTS
B’nai David Cemetery
9535 Van Dyke Street, Detroit
9:30am registration
10:00am community service begins
In partnership with NEXTGen, Repair the World and
Hillel of Metro Detroit
Worksites are pre-assigned.
Register by October 30th.
Safe, family-friendly volunteer event
with COVID-19 precautions in place.