MARQUETTE — With elections just around the corner, Monday is the last day people can register to vote for the Aug. 7 primary elections.

To register to vote in Michigan, a person must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age by Election Day, a state resident and a resident of the city or township where they’re applying to register to vote.

Michigan residents can register to vote online or at their local city, township or county clerk office, as well as the Secretary of State office.

When registering online, a copy of a photo ID is needed to send with the application. A photo ID is also helpful when registering in person. However, if the applicant does not have a photo ID, other documents that include the person’s information on them are needed. People can also register to vote with an out-of-state ID.

“It’s a very easy process and once you’re registered, you’re registered,” said Marquette City Clerk Kris Hazeres. “As long as you vote, you remain on the rolls.”

If someone doesn’t vote for eight years, they’re taken off the rolls and would have to re-register. People can visit www.Michigan.gov/vote to see if they’re registered or not. The website also provides information about how to register to vote, voting equipment, polling place locations, state and local ballots, the candidates, campaign finance and more. Local clerks can also help with questions about voter registration, polling place location and working at the polls.

Hazeres said the SOS website — www.michigan.gov/sos — is especially helpful because people can type in their information and view the actual ballot they’ll be voting on, which is convenient when people want to do some background research, she said, adding that voting is a right.

“I really encourage people to register to vote because voting is their right and their duty,” she said. “When there’s things going on in the world, if you haven’t voted, you really have no say in what’s going on.”

For more information, contact your municipality’s clerk’s office.

Jaymie Depew can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is jdepew@miningjournal.net.