Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and Answers About Government

Who is eligible to vote in Michigan?
In order to vote in Michigan you must be

1. a citizen of the United States
2. at least 18 years of age on election day*
3. a resident of Michigan for at least 30 days
4. have registered at least 30 days prior to the election in which you wish to vote

*The Attorney General has determined that a person who reaches his/her birthday within 24 hours following the day of election is eligible to vote provided he/she meets all other eligibility requirements.

Where can I register to vote?
You may register at any of the following locations:

1. office of your city, township or county clerk
2. a branch office of the Secretary of State when you obtain a driver's license
3. through a deputy registrar authorized by the local clerk to take registrations

May I register to vote by mail?
In Michigan, you may register by mail if you are:

1. physically disabled
2. temporarily absent from your city or township
3. in the Armed Forces temporarily residing in another state or country even if you no longer maintain a home in Michigan

Contact the local clerk in the Michigan community where you last resided to obtain the necessary forms. Upon completion and having been notarized, these forms must be returned to the local clerk. Military personnel and their dependents may also register using the Federal Post Card Application. This post card application must be signed by the presiding officer.

When do I have to change my registration?
If you change your address WITHIN the city, township or village, notify your local clerk. You will then be placed in the correct precinct and issued a new voter registration card. The change may also be made at a branch office of the Secretary of State or at the polls on election day.

Changes in name due to marriage or legal action require re-registration. This may be done at any of the locations established to take voter registrations.

If you move from one community to another, you must re-register to be able to vote.

Must I re-register from time to time?
Registration in Michigan is kept current by just voting. If you do not vote for a period of five (5) years, the local clerk will notify you and ask if you wish to maintain your registration. Response to this inquiry keeps your registration current; failure to respond will lead to cancellation.

Must I declare a party preference when I register?
Michigan does not require a declaration of party preference to register. However, in order to vote in the Presidential Primary ONLY, a person must have declared a party preference in writing at least 30 days prior to this election. Forms for this party declaration are available through your local clerk or at a branch office of the Secretary of State.

Where do I vote?
Each voter must vote in the voting place designated to serve the precinct or ward in which they reside. This location is indicated on your voter identification card or you may call or email your local clerk to determine where you should go.  There is also a handy ward map to help you determine your voting ward/precinct.

When are the polls open?
Polls open at 7:00 am and remain open until 8:00 pm. Anyone in line at 8:00 pm is eligible to vote.

Do I vote at the same place each time?
You may or may not. Polling locations for school elections are sometimes different than those for general elections. Be sure to check with your local clerk or with the website if you are in doubt. Polling locations are also posted in local newspapers prior to each election.

I have a physical handicap, may I vote at the polls?
Persons with a physical handicap are eligible to vote by absentee ballot. However, if you wish to vote at the polls, contact the office of your local clerk to determine which polling locations are handicapper accessible. Your clerk will direct you to the proper site.

If you are blind, unable to read or otherwise unable to vote by yourself, you m bring someone to assist you or ask the election inspectors for assistance. The law prohibits an agent from your union or your employer from assisting you at the polls.

When may I vote absentee?
You may vote absentee when:

1. You are 60 years of age or older.
2. You expect to be absent from the community in which you are registered to vote the entire time the polls are open.
3. You are physically unable to attend the polls without assistance from another.
4. You are prohibited from attending the polls because of the tenants of your religion.
5. You have been appointed to serve as an election worker in a precinct other than the one in which you reside.
6. You are confined to jail awaiting arraignment or trial.

How do I obtain an absentee ballot?
Application must be made in writing to your local clerk. Applications are available at the Clerk's office or you may request the ballot in writing. Your written request must state the following:

• You are a registered voter in the community. The reason you are eligible for an absentee ballot.
• Your present registered address. The address to which you wish the ballot mailed.
• Your signature - If a husband and wife both request an absentee ballot, both signatures must be included.
• Military personnel and their dependents may request absentee ballots on the Federal Post Card Application.

If you wish to have your ballot mailed applications must be filed with the Clerk by 2:00 pm on the Saturday preceding the election. You may also apply and vote at the Clerk's office up until 4:00 pm the day preceding the election. Absentee ballots are only issued after the 4:00 pm deadline in emergency situations. Absentee ballots must be returned to the local clerk by 8:00 pm on Election Day in order to be counted.

Questions and Answers About Services

What do I do if my sewer backs up into my home?
Call the Department of Public Works office at City Hall, give the contact person's name and the address where the problem is occurring. The Department will dispatch the sewer maintenance crew to the address and jet rod the sewer at no cost to the property owner. The property owner will then be advised as to what was found, if anything. Normally the problem exists in the sewer lateral, which is the line going from the main sewer to the building, however, at times there has been something lodged in the main sewer, such as roots, that will restrict the flow. If the problem is in the lateral, it is the responsibility of the property owner to contact someone to determine where the problem is in the line and make necessary repairs. If the sewer problem is found to be in the street right-of-way, and it becomes necessary to dig in the right-of-way, the City will pay for customary charges provided the homeowner and/or plumber follows the proper procedures. Contact the Department of Public Works for more information.

What do I do if I wish to have brush picked up?
The City of Niles offers a free limb and brush chipping program to its residents. Please keep the following rules in mind:

1. Pickup is scheduled for the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, from March thru mid-October. 
2. Residents must call the Department of Public Works (683-4700 x 399) by no later than noon on the Friday just prior to the scheduled pickup day.
3. Material must be placed at the curb or edge of roadway by no later than 7:00 am on the scheduled pickup day, with the cut ends facing toward the street whenever possible.
4. Material must be easily handled by one man.
5. Vines, leaves, limbs and brush with dirt attached, rose and other thorn bushes, lawn and flower clippings, and limbs with wire or nails will not be picked up. 
6. The City of Niles reserves the right to limit or reject the material to be picked up due to size, quantity, or type.
7. The program is not intended for removal of tree topping or removal that would normally be handled by a tree removal contractor.
8. Do not cover the water meter lid in the boulevard. This limits the meter reader's access to our meter which may cause inaccurate readings.

As long as you are on the list and have abided by the above rules, your items will be picked up. Please keep in mind that this program is extremely popular, with the pickup list at times surpassing 100 locations. Because of this the Street Department sometimes must work several days in order to complete the pickup. If you are on the list but your limbs or brush are not picked up on the first day of the pickup, please do not become upset or concerned. It is recommended that you place your brush out at the street just prior to the scheduled pickup starting date. Placing the brush out several days in advance may cause grass in the boulevard to become yellow or die.

What happens to the mulch that is generated from the brush chipping program?
The mulch, which is ideal for placing around planting areas, walk paths, and other uses, is offered free of charge to area residents. Residents may pick up the mulch at the Street Department garage, 1815 Eagle St. (located directly behind Ring Lardner Junior High School), Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Residents must provide the necessary tools and containers. At various times the City will provide Saturday morning hours. Announcements will be made in the Niles Daily Star and on radio station WNIL-AM.

I'd like to make public sidewalk repairs to the walk in front of my home. Do I need a permit?
Yes, a permit s required for any type of public sidewalk work. The permit is free and is quite simple to obtain. Either fill out the on-line version of the form, or stop in at the Department of Public Works office at City Hall. You will need to know the address where the work is to be performed, what quantity you wish to construct or replace, the name of the contractor, and the date by which the work will be completed. The City will inspect the forms prior to the pouring of concrete and make a final inspection once the work is completed.

How do I find whether or not my refuse hauler is licensed to haul trash in the City?
The Department of Public Works issues permits to refuse haulers annually. Any refuse hauler that collects trash in the City of Niles is required to have a permit. There is a fee for the permit. Normally there are over 50 refuse hauling vehicles per year representing numerous companies that obtain the annual permits. The names are available upon request. It is also important to know that all licensed haulers in the City are required to offer recycling services to you. Contact the Department of Public Works for more information.

How does the leaf collection program work?
Normally, the fall leaf collection program begins the last week of October. The leaves are collected one ward at a time, starting the program in a different ward each year. The date that the program will begin will be announced in the Niles Daily Star, the Leader, South Bend Tribune, and on radio station WNIL-AM.

Please follow these few simple rules:

1. Rake leaves to the back of the curb and not onto the pavement.
2. Only clean leaves will be picked up. Leaves mixed with brush limbs trash ashes, or other debris will not be picked up.
3. Leaves must be raked out in advance of the pickers. Leaves raked out afterwards will not be picked up.

The goal is to go around the City two complete times, weather permitting. It s important to rake as many leaves out as possible in advance of the first pick up, since the second time around may be halted or delayed by bad weather. Normally the crews work ten hours per day, Monday through Saturday. It is always our goal to complete the entire program prior to December 15th, again, weather permitting. Should you not be able to rake your leaves out in time to be picked up by the City, you may take them to the Southeast Berrien County Landfill, 3200 Chamberlain Rd., Buchanan, and dispose of them. There is no charge.