St Joseph, Michigan Public Records

Michigan residents can register to vote online at the Michigan Voter Information Center (www.michigan.gov/vote), which handles new registrations and address updates for those already on the rolls. The state offers same-day voter registration, allowing eligible residents to register and vote at their city or township clerk's office during early voting periods and on Election Day itself. To qualify, Michigan residents must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of Michigan and their city or township for at least 30 days before the election. While no specific identification is required to register, applicants are asked to provide a Michigan driver's license or state ID number. Those without a Michigan ID can supply the last four digits of their Social Security number. Operating under Michigan's home rule charter, the city holds municipal elections for Mayor and City Commissioners. Seven elected commissioners serve staggered four-year terms, with elections in odd-numbered years — most recently in November 2023, with the next scheduled for November 2025 and 2027. The Mayor is elected at-large. Municipal candidate filings and local ballot questions are handled through the St. Joseph City Clerk's office at City Hall, 700 Broad Street (phone: 269-983-0700). Depending on charter provisions, city elections may appear on the November general election ballot or in designated off-cycle elections. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote by entering their name and date of birth or address. The system displays the polling location address, hours, and a sample ballot. The city typically operates multiple precincts with polling places at schools, community centers, and municipal buildings. Early voting is available at designated sites for nine days before Election Day, including the Saturday and Sunday immediately prior. Michigan election records available to the public include the Qualified Voter File — the voter registration list — which can be purchased by political committees and certain organizations under MCL 168.522 and 168.523. Campaign finance disclosure reports filed by candidates and committees are searchable through the Michigan Secretary of State's campaign finance database. Candidate filing documents, nominating petitions, and precinct-level election results are also public. The Berrien County Clerk publishes unofficial election results on election night and certified results following the county canvass. In the November 2024 presidential election, Berrien County reported approximately 60% voter turnout with roughly 90,000 ballots cast from approximately 115,000 registered voters, reflecting strong participation in the presidential race. On November 3, 2026, voters throughout the city and county will decide multiple significant races. At the federal level, Michigan's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Gary Peters will be on the ballot, as his term expires in January 2027. All of Michigan's U.S. House seats will be contested, including the district representing the area — currently Michigan's 5th Congressional District. State-level races include Governor (Governor Gretchen Whitmer's current term expires January 2027), Secretary of State, Attorney General, and all 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives, as state representatives serve two-year terms. State Senate seats in even-numbered districts will also be on the ballot, since Michigan senators serve four-year staggered terms. At the Berrien County level, Berrien County offices on the ballot in 2026 include County Commissioners from odd-numbered districts on the 11-member board, County Clerk/Register of Deeds, County Treasurer, County Prosecutor (four-year term expiring 2026), and County Sheriff (four-year term expiring 2026). Circuit Court and District Court judgeships may also appear if terms expire in 2026. Because St. Joseph city elections are scheduled for odd-numbered years, no city races are expected on the November 2026 ballot unless a special election is called. Michigan voters can request absentee ballots without providing a reason, thanks to a 2018 constitutional amendment. Applications for absentee ballots can be submitted online through the Michigan Voter Information Center, by mail, or in person at the St. Joseph City Clerk's office at 700 Broad Street for city residents. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM the Friday before Election Day, though voters can request and cast an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office up to 8:00 PM on Election Day. Once registered on the permanent absentee voter list, voters automatically receive applications for each election. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postmarks do not count — ballots must be received by the deadline), by drop box (many municipalities provide 24-hour secure drop boxes), or in person at the clerk's office.