Q and A with City Clerk Jason Bell explains it all
By Barb Pert Templeton
A recent meeting of the Marine City Commission had officials formally adopting a resolution for an early voting plan for city elections this year. Early voting for the August 2026 Primary in Marine City will take place from July 25 through August 2.
City Clerk Jason Bell placed the item on the commission agenda at the March 5 meeting. The commission was unanimous in its approval of Resolution 0006-2026 – Re-Adopting and continuing the city of Marine City Early Voting Plan and establishing the early voting site for statewide and federal elections. Commissioner Trish May was absent from the recent meeting.
The Michigan Constitution mandates that the early voting period begins on the second Saturday prior to the election and ends on the Sunday before Election Day, Bell said.
“It is also important for voters to know that Early Voting is just as secure as voting on Election Day,” Bell said, in an email on March 11. “When a voter casts their ballot during early voting, it is inserted into the tabulator and counted at that time, just like it would be on Election Day. At the end of each day, all ballots, tabulators, and election materials are secured in accordance with Michigan election law.”
In the documented plan for early voting Bell noted that Marine City has 3,292 registered voters, six election workers will serve at the polls from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during early voting and he will be the onsite supervisor for all nine days.
Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Bell via email to find out more about early voting in the city.
Marine City Clerk Jason Bell.
Blue Water Healthy Living: What’s the main idea behind having early voting in the city?
Marine City Clerk Jason Bell: Early voting is constitutionally mandated following the passage of Proposal 2022-2 and applies to all state and federal elections in Michigan. Under this requirement, municipalities must offer a minimum of nine days of early voting, beginning the second Saturday before the election and ending the Sunday prior to Election Day.
BWHL: How does the early voting actually work?
Bell: In Marine City, early voting is conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day during the nine-day early voting period. The process functions the same as Election Day—registered voters may come in during any of those days and cast their ballot in person.
BWHL: Who can vote early?
Bell: All registered voters in Marine City are eligible to vote during early voting.
BWHL: What identification do they have to show at the polls for early voting?
Bell: As required under MCL 168.523, voters who vote in person during early voting or on Election Day must either present a valid photo identification or sign an affidavit attesting that they are not currently in possession of photo identification.
BWHL: Does having early voting mean the city hires extra poll workers for those nine days?
Bell: In preparation for early voting when it was first implemented in 2024, the city hired several additional election inspectors. We were fortunate that some city employees also stepped up to serve as election inspectors, which worked out very well since voters were able to see familiar faces when coming in to cast their ballots. That said, scheduling inspectors for the nine days of early voting has certainly added another layer of coordination.
BWHL: Is the city currently looking for poll workers for the upcoming elections?
Bell: At this time, we are not currently seeking additional election inspectors.
BWHL: Do you train all poll workers?
Bell: Election inspectors must be trained through the St. Clair County Clerk’s Office, and each inspector is required to attend a three-hour training session and pass a test at the conclusion of the training. This certification must be renewed every two years.
BWHL: Any restrictions as to who can work the polls and who’s ineligible?
Bell: Under MCL 168.677, a precinct election inspector must be a qualified and registered elector of the State of Michigan, have a good reputation, and possess sufficient education and clerical ability to perform the duties of the position. Individuals must also submit an application to the county clerk or the city or township clerk in the county where they wish to serve. The statute includes additional eligibility requirements as well.
BWHL: How did early voting go last time – lots of traffic at the polls or not so much?
Bell: Early voting during the February 2024 election was relatively slow across much of the state. Participation increased during the August 2024 election and saw significant growth in November 2024. While we marketed early voting locally as much as possible, participation noticeably increased once the Michigan Secretary of State began broader statewide promotion of the program.
BWHL: It seems having these extra voting days would mean more organizing and work for the clerk’s department – is that the case in Marine City?
Bell: There is no question that early voting adds additional planning and work for the Clerk’s Department. My Deputy Clerk, Carol Brown, has been a tremendous asset during elections. Because she has prior election experience, we are able to divide responsibilities and share coverage during the nine days of early voting. The overall election planning timeline now begins earlier as a result of the early voting requirement.
BWHL: How many polling locations will the city have this year? Where will they be?
Bell: Marine City currently has one precinct and one polling location, which is located at City Hall in the Meeting Chambers, 260 S. Parker Street. This location serves as both the Early Voting site and the Election Day polling location.
BWHL: Do the same election inspectors return to help out in the city year after year? How many will you need for 2026?
Bell: I am pleased to report that all of our election inspectors have returned or plan to return for the 2026 election cycle. They truly are the individuals who make elections run smoothly and efficiently, and in many ways, they are the unsung heroes of the election process. We currently have 17 inspectors, which provides a fully staffed team. Inspectors rotate their availability for early voting shifts and all work together on Election Day.
BWHL: Do you think having the opportunity to vote early is important for voters?
Bell: I strongly encourage voters who are able to do so to take advantage of early voting. It helps reduce congestion on Election Day and often results in shorter wait times. With two weekends available during the early voting period, it also provides greater flexibility for voters who may have work schedules or other obligations that make voting on Election Day more difficult.
BWHL: Can you share a bit about the ballot process?
Bell: While ballots are tabulated when they are cast, results are not finalized or reported until the close of polls on Election Day, when all totals are reviewed, reconciled, and verified to ensure the number of voters, ballots, and tabulator counts all match as required by law.
