Carleton, Michigan Public Records

Michigan residents can register to vote online at www.michigan.gov/sos through the Michigan Voter Information Center, in person at the Monroe County Clerk's office or any Secretary of State branch office, or at designated voter registration agencies. The state offers same-day voter registration through Election Day; voters who register within 14 days of an election must register in person with their local clerk and provide proof of residency. Acceptable ID includes a Michigan driver's license, state ID, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing name and current address. State law requires voters to be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of Michigan and their community for at least 30 days. Carleton, as an incorporated village, holds municipal elections for village offices including Village President and Village Council members. Village elections are typically held in odd-numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, coordinated by the Monroe County Clerk. The next village election is scheduled for November 2025, with candidate filing deadlines typically in July. Local ballot questions and millage proposals may also appear on the ballot. Information about Carleton-specific candidates and local issues is available through the Monroe County Clerk's office and at village council meetings. Residents can find their assigned polling location using the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote, which allows searches by name and date of birth or address and displays the voter's precinct, polling place address, hours, and sample ballot. Polling places are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day. Carleton residents vote at precincts assigned based on their address within the village. Michigan election records that are public include voter registration files (with sensitive information like Social Security numbers and birth dates redacted), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees (searchable at www.michigan.gov/sos), candidate filing information and nominating petitions, and precinct-level election results. The Monroe County Clerk publishes unofficial election results on election night and certified results following canvassing at www.co.monroe.mi.us/government/offices/county_clerk/election_information. In the November 2024 general election, Monroe County reported voter turnout of approximately 73% of registered voters, reflecting high engagement in the presidential election. The county had approximately 110,000 registered voters with about 80,000 ballots cast. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature critical races for Michigan and Monroe County voters. The ballot will include the race for Michigan Governor (four-year term), as Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2026. All 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives will be on the ballot (two-year terms), including the district representing Carleton. Michigan Senate seats in even-numbered districts (two of four years in their term cycle) will be contested. At the Monroe County level, Monroe County will elect county commissioners for districts including Carleton's representation, and various county offices including Sheriff, Clerk/Register of Deeds, Treasurer, and Prosecuting Attorney (all four-year terms) will be decided. No U.S. Senate seat from Michigan is scheduled for 2026, as both Michigan senators were last elected in 2024 (Debbie Stabenow's seat) and 2020 (Gary Peters). Carleton's village offices will not appear on the November 2026 ballot as village elections occur in odd years, but township and school board positions may be included depending on district boundaries. Michigan voters can request absentee ballots without providing a reason under a constitutional amendment adopted in 2018. Applications are available at www.michigan.gov/sos, through the Michigan Voter Information Center, or by contacting the Monroe County Clerk at (734) 240-7330. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Friday before Election Day for the ballot to be mailed; voters can also request and vote an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office through 8:00 PM on Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day; postmarks do not count. Voters can track their absentee ballot status online at www.michigan.gov/vote. Michigan also allows no-reason early in-person voting beginning nine days before Election Day at designated early voting sites announced by the Monroe County Clerk.