Hastings, Michigan Public Records

Michigan residents can register to vote online at www.michigan.gov/vote through the Michigan Voter Information Center, which also lets users check their registration status, view sample ballots, and locate polling places. The state offers Election Day registration, meaning qualified residents can register and vote the same day at their clerk's office or polling place with proof of residency. Those registering in advance must submit applications at least 15 days before an election. Acceptable identification includes a Michigan driver's license, state ID, or other government-issued photo ID; voters without ID can sign an affidavit and still cast a regular ballot. The city holds municipal elections for mayor and city council. The mayor serves a two-year term while council members serve staggered four-year terms. These elections take place in November of odd-numbered years. The next city elections are scheduled for November 2025, with both mayoral and council seats on the ballot. Candidate filing details, local ballot proposals, and election results are available through Hastings City Hall at 269-945-2468 or the Barry County Clerk's election division. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the online lookup tool at www.michigan.gov/vote or by calling the Barry County Clerk's Office. Precinct assignments depend on home address, and voters must cast ballots at their designated precinct on Election Day unless they vote absentee. Michigan provides extensive public access to election records. Voter registration lists can be purchased by campaigns and political committees under MCL 168.522-523, though individual information including addresses and dates of birth is protected from unrestricted disclosure. Campaign finance reports for state and county candidates are available through the Michigan Secretary of State's Campaign Finance Reporting system at www.michigan.gov/sos. For city races, local candidate filings and financial disclosures are kept by the Hastings City Clerk. Precinct-level results are public records; the county posts unofficial results on election night and certified results after canvassing at www.barrycounty.org/clerk, with detailed precinct breakdowns available on request. In the November 2024 presidential election, Barry County saw strong turnout with approximately 35,000 votes cast out of roughly 44,000 registered voters, representing about 79-80% participation, consistent with Michigan's high statewide turnout in the presidential race. The November 3, 2026 general election will bring critical races for Michigan voters. As a midterm election year with no presidential contest, voters will decide the following: Governor of Michigan (four-year term), all Michigan constitutional offices including Secretary of State and Attorney General, one U.S. Senate seat (Senator Gary Peters' seat is up in 2026), Michigan's U.S. House delegation including the district representing Barry County (currently Michigan's 4th Congressional District), all 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives, and 19 seats in the 38-member Michigan Senate (half the chamber on four-year staggered terms). At the Barry County level, Barry County voters will choose county commission seats, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, clerk/register of deeds, treasurer, and other county offices. The city does not hold municipal elections in even-numbered years, so no city races will appear on the November 2026 ballot for residents here. Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting, allowing any registered voter to request an absentee ballot without justification. Applications can be submitted online through the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote, by mail, or in person at the Barry County Clerk's Office. Once approved as a permanent absentee voter, residents automatically receive applications for each election. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (ballots must be received by 8:00 PM; a postmark by Election Day is not sufficient), by delivering to the Barry County Clerk's office or designated drop box, or to the voter's polling place on Election Day. Michigan law permits absentee ballot tracking through www.michigan.gov/vote, allowing voters to confirm their ballot was received and accepted.