Lawton, Michigan Public Records

Michigan allows Election Day registration, meaning eligible residents can register to vote in person at their city or township clerk's office or at their polling place on Election Day with proof of residency. Standard registration is also available online, by mail, or in person, with online registration requiring a Michigan driver's license or state ID. For Lawton residents, local registration can be completed at the Antwerp Township Clerk's office, as the village is located within Antwerp Township for most governmental purposes. The village holds elections for its Village President and Village Council seats. Lawton operates under a village governance structure with nonpartisan elections typically held in November of odd-numbered years. The next village elections are scheduled for November 2025, when voters will select council members for four-year terms. Information about village candidates and local ballot issues is available from the Van Buren County Clerk's election division and the Village of Lawton office at 109 North Main Street, (269) 624-6971. Residents can find their assigned polling location by entering their address at the Michigan Voter Information Center (www.michigan.gov/vote) or by contacting the Van Buren County Clerk's office. Polling places for local voters are typically located at Lawton Community Schools or other public buildings within the village. Michigan maintains extensive public election records. Voter registration lists are available to campaigns and political organizations under Michigan election law (MCL 168.522-523). Campaign finance disclosures for state and federal candidates are searchable online through the Michigan Secretary of State at www.michigan.gov/campaignfinance. County-level campaign finance reports are filed with Van Buren County Clerk. Precinct-level election results are public records and posted by Van Buren County Clerk following certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Van Buren County reported voter turnout of approximately 70-75% of registered voters, with detailed precinct results available on Van Buren County Clerk's website. The November 3, 2026 general election will be particularly significant for Michigan voters. Residents will elect a U.S. Senator (the Class II Senate seat currently held by Gary Peters is up for election in 2026), all members of Michigan's congressional delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, and numerous state legislature seats including State Senate and State House districts. Van Buren County voters will also decide county offices including County Commissioners, County Clerk, County Treasurer, Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, and other constitutional county offices, most of which are four-year terms. Lawton village positions may also appear on the ballot if village election dates align with the general election cycle, though village elections traditionally occur in odd-numbered years. State legislative races will be particularly important as Michigan State Senate District 20 and State House District 46 (or successor districts following redistricting) include portions of Van Buren County and Lawton. Michigan voters can request absentee ballots (called absent voter ballots in Michigan) without providing a reason, following the passage of Proposal 3 in 2018. Lawton residents can request absent voter ballots by submitting an application to the Antwerp Township Clerk or downloading an application from the Michigan Voter Information Center. Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or in person. Ballots are mailed to voters beginning 45 days before Election Day, and completed ballots must be returned to the township clerk's office or designated drop box by 8:00 PM on Election Day.