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.