Ortonville, Michigan Public Records

Michigan residents can register online at www.michigan.gov/vote up to 15 days before an election, or in person at their township clerk's office through Election Day itself with proof of residency. Acceptable documents include a Michigan driver's license, state ID, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check showing name and current address. While the state requires no voter ID for registration, photo ID or a signed affidavit is required when casting a ballot. As an unincorporated village, this community holds no municipal elections for mayor or village council. Instead, Brandon Township conducts elections for township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and four trustee positions. Board members serve four-year terms, with elections scheduled for November of even-numbered years. The next Brandon Township elections fall on November 4, 2025 (odd year for certain positions if special elections occur) and November 3, 2026, for township offices. The Brandon Township Clerk manages candidate filings and local ballot proposals, posting information at www.brandontwp.us and at the township offices. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote, which allows searches by name and date of birth or address. The system displays polling locations, sample ballots, and registration status. Brandon Township operates several precincts, with polling places at Brandon Township Hall, Brandon High School, and other public facilities. The state maintains extensive public election records. Voter registration lists are available for purchase by candidates and political organizations through county clerks for statutory fees ($10 plus per-record charges). Precinct-level election results are published by Oakland County Elections at www.oakgov.com/elections following each election, showing vote totals by race and precinct. Campaign finance records for state and local candidates are searchable at www.michigan.gov/cfr (Michigan Bureau of Elections Campaign Finance Reporting system), displaying contributions, expenditures, and committee information. Candidate filings, nomination petitions, and ballot language for local proposals are public records available through the township and county clerk offices. In the November 2024 presidential election, Oakland County reported approximately 625,000 votes cast from roughly 890,000 registered voters, representing approximately 70% turnout. Brandon Township typically sees turnout rates of 65-75% in presidential elections and 45-55% in midterm elections. For the November 3, 2026 general election, voters here will decide several major races. Michigan's gubernatorial election will be held, as Governor Gretchen Whitmer's current term expires in January 2027 (Michigan governors serve four-year terms). All Michigan state House of Representatives seats (110 districts) will be on the ballot, as representatives serve two-year terms; the area falls within a state house district covering northern Oakland County. State Senate seats for even-numbered districts will be contested, as senators serve four-year terms with half elected every two years. Oakland County will elect county executive, sheriff, clerk/register of deeds, treasurer, prosecutor, and county commissioner positions. Brandon Township offices including supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and trustees will also appear on the ballot. No U.S. Senate seat from Michigan is scheduled for 2026 (Senator Debbie Stabenow's seat was contested in 2024; Senator Elissa Slotkin's seat is next up in 2030), but Michigan's U.S. House seats will be contested, with the community in a congressional district covering northern Oakland and surrounding counties. Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without providing justification. Applications are available at www.michigan.gov/vote, through the Oakland County Elections office, or from the Brandon Township Clerk. Voters can apply for a one-time absentee ballot or join the permanent absentee voter list to automatically receive applications for every election. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the local clerk by 5:00 PM the Friday before Election Day, or voters may request ballots in person at the clerk's office through 4:00 PM on the Monday before the election. Emergency absentee ballots are available in limited circumstances. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day; postmarks do not count. Michigan installed ballot drop boxes at clerk offices and other secure locations following 2020 legislation; Brandon Township maintains drop boxes at township hall providing 24-hour access before elections.