Saint Clair Shores, Michigan Public Records

Michigan offers online voter registration through the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote, where eligible citizens can register, check registration status, view sample ballots, and find polling locations. Voter registration deadlines fall 15 days before any election, though Michigan also offers Election Day registration at polling places and clerk's offices with proof of residency. Acceptable ID includes Michigan driver's license, state ID, or other government-issued photo identification; voters without ID can sign an affidavit and still vote. As a home rule city, Saint Clair Shores conducts municipal elections for Mayor and City Council positions. The city operates under a council-manager government with seven council members elected at-large to four-year staggered terms, and a mayor elected at-large to a two-year term. Municipal elections take place on the odd-year November general election date. The most recent municipal election occurred in November 2023, with the next city elections scheduled for November 4, 2025, when voters will decide mayoral and council races along with any local ballot proposals. Candidates for city offices must file nominating petitions with the City Clerk by July (specific deadline typically in mid-July, 15 weeks before the election). Local ballot questions may include millage renewals, charter amendments, or bond proposals. Residents can find their assigned polling location by entering their address at michigan.gov/vote or by contacting the Macomb County Elections Division. The city has approximately 25 voting precincts located in schools, community centers, and public buildings throughout the residential areas. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day. For the November 5, 2024 presidential general election, Macomb County reported approximately 59% voter turnout with roughly 285,000 ballots cast from approximately 480,000 registered voters county-wide. Saint Clair Shores, with approximately 42,000 registered voters, typically sees turnout rates slightly above the county average in presidential elections. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in the area will decide several significant races. Michigan's Governor seat will be on the ballot, as Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot seek reelection, making 2026 an open gubernatorial race. All Michigan constitutional officers (Secretary of State, Attorney General) will also be elected. Michigan's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Gary Peters will not be up for election in 2026 (next election in 2026 is for Debbie Stabenow's seat, which she is not seeking). The entire Michigan House of Representatives (110 seats) will be elected, including the 21st District seat representing Saint Clair Shores. Michigan State Senate District 2, which includes the city, will also be on the ballot as all 38 Senate seats are elected in midterm years. County-level positions including Macomb County Executive, County Clerk, County Treasurer, Sheriff, Prosecutor, and County Commissioner seats will be decided. Several judicial positions including circuit court judges and district court judges will also appear on the ballot. Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting, allowing any registered voter to request an absentee ballot without providing justification. Requests can be submitted through the michigan.gov/vote portal, by mailing a signed application to the Macomb County Clerk or Saint Clair Shores City Clerk at 27600 Jefferson Circle, or in person at either clerk's office. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM the Friday before Election Day for mail delivery, though voters can request and submit absentee ballots in person at the clerk's office until 8:00 PM on Election Day itself. Michigan also offers permanent absentee voter status, allowing voters to automatically receive ballot applications for every election. Public election records in Michigan include voter registration lists (available to candidates and political organizations, not general public), campaign finance disclosures accessible at michigan.gov/sos, candidate filings and financial reports, precinct-by-precinct election results published by Macomb County Clerk after certification, and absentee ballot statistics. The Macomb County Elections Division publishes unofficial results on election night and certified results approximately two weeks after elections at macombgov.org/elections. Individual voter history (which elections a person voted in, but not how they voted) is public record, while actual ballot choices remain secret. The Saint Clair Shores City Clerk maintains local campaign finance reports for municipal candidates, which are public records available for inspection.