CITY CLERK

Responsibilities

The City Clerk’s Office is the “keeper of all information” for the City of Rockford. They have a responsibility to:

  • Maintain all official city records, including deeds, contracts, and other legal documents
  • Keep a record of all ordinances, resolutions, and actions by the City Commission
  • Provide public notice of all meetings
  • Accepts and processes applications for persons interested in serving on any board or commission in the City of Rockford
  • Provides Notary Public services
  • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) coordinator for the City of Rockford.  New guidelines were recently put in place and are listed below:
    FOIA Procedures and Guidelines
    FOIA Public Summary of Procedures
    FOIA Detailed Cost Itemization
  • Conducts all elections for the City of Rockford
  • Registers and maintains all voting records for the City of Rockford residents using the State of Michigan Qualified Voter File (QVF) system

Photo Identification

Michigan law requires voters to show a valid photo ID at the polls. If you do not have a photo ID, you can fill out a simple affidavit to this effect and then vote as usual. Acceptable forms of ID are:

  • Michigan Driver's License
  • Michigan Identification Card
  • Student ID
  • Tribal ID
  • Passport

Registering to Vote

Residents can stop by City Hall or any Michigan Secretary of State’s Office to register as a new voter with the City (Voter registration form). You must register at least 30 days prior to an election. Once registered, you do not need to re-register unless you change your address. You must be a US Citizen at least 18 years of age by the date of the election to register to vote.

Check out the Michigan Voter Information Center to find out if and where you are registered to vote.

Absentee Voting

Requirements of Absentee Voters

Prior to each election, voters may choose to receive their ballot early and vote prior to election day. Michigan law allows you to receive an absentee ballot if:

  • You are 60 years of age or older
  • You expect to be absent from the community in which you are registered for the entire time the polls are open on election day
  • You are physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another
  • You cannot attend the polls because of the tenets of your religion
  • You have been appointed an election precinct inspector in a precinct other than the precinct where you reside
  • You cannot attend the polls because you are confined to jail awaiting arraignment or trial

You must fill out an application prior to each election before we can send out your ballot. It’s a simple form that requires little time.

How to absentee Vote

There are two ways to vote absentee:

At City Hall

Stop by during business hours and we will issue your ballot to you at that time (if they are available). You can vote in the office or take your ballot home to look over and return when finished.

The exception to this rule is that absentee voters must complete their ballots in the office the day immediately prior to an election. The ballot must be requested in person and cannot be taken home.

By Mail

Absentee ballot applications downloaded from our website must be sent back to our office:

  • Mail to: 7 South Monroe, Rockford, MI 49341
  • Fax to 616-866-6406
  • Scan and email to City Clerk, Chris Bedford

Once we receive your application, we will mail the ballot to the address specified as soon as possible.

Permanent Absentee List

The city maintains a permanent absentee list of those who wish to receive an absentee ballot application automatically before each election. You must still complete and return the application to receive a ballot, but we will automatically send the application to you approximately 60 days before each election.

If you are interested in being on the permanent absentee list, please contact Chris Bedford at (616) 951-7520.