Next month, voters in Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah and Wisconsin will get the chance to approve or reject a number of far-reaching marijuana proposals. But one thing you may not realize is that you don’t have to wait until Nov. 6, 2018, to make your voice heard: Many states allow for early or absentee voting, and people across the country are already voting on cannabis initiatives today, as you read this.
Before getting into the specifics, an important aside about voter registration deadlines: They’re coming up hot. You can check your state’s registration deadline here.
OK, back to early voting on cannabis. Marijuana Moment compiled a list of each major state and local marijuana-related initiative that will appear on ballots. They range widely, from proposals to fully legalize cannabis in Michigan to amending the definition of industrial hemp in Colorado, and some will only go before voters in specific cities or counties.
There’s a lot of information to review before heading to the polls, but fortunately, there’s still time to go.
But for those who are eager to make their votes count sooner rather than later, many places with cannabis questions provide ways to cast your ballot early via mail or in-person before Election Day.
Here’s When Early or Absentee Voting Starts in States Where Marijuana Will be on the Ballot:
Colorado
Senate Resolution 18-003, a proposal to amend the definition of industrial hemp under the Colorado constitution.
Ballots handed out to voters who request them: Oct. 5, 2018
A county clerk “must begin issuing mail ballots to any eligible elector who requests one in person at the county clerk’s office” by this date. Otherwise, mail ballots will be sent to voters between Oct. 15 and 22, 2018.
Michigan
A proposal to fully legalize marijuana for adult-use.
Absentee voting begins: County clerks began sending out mail-in ballots Sept. 22, 2018.
Non-military Michigan voters must qualify for absentee voting. Individuals must either be at least 60 years old, unable to vote without assistance, planning to be out of town on Election Day, in jail awaiting trial, have a conflicting religious event or have been appointed to work “as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.”
Missouri
Three competing proposals to legalize medical cannabis.
Absentee voting begins: Sept. 25, 2018
Missouri voters must qualify for absentee voting. Individuals must either be physically incapable to vote due to illness or disability, planning to be out of town on Election Day, in jail awaiting trial, have a conflicting religious event, have been appointed to work an election official or currently involved in a confidentiality program due to safety concerns.
North Dakota
A proposal to fully legalize marijuana for adult-use.
Absentee voting begins: Sept. 27, 2018
Early voting begins: Counties may begin offering early voting as soon as Oct. 22, 2018. Consult your county’s election office, as start dates vary.
Ohio
Proposals in six municipalities across Ohio to locally decriminalize cannabis.
Early voting begins: Oct.10, 2018
Absentee voting begins: Oct.10, 2018
Utah
A proposal to legalize medical cannabis.
Absentee voting begins: For military and overseas residents, mail-in ballots were sent out around Sept. 22, 2018. Other mail-in ballots will be sent out by Oct. 16, 2018. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted by Oct. 30, 2018.
Early voting begins: Oct. 23, 2018
Be sure to check your county’s early voting poll dates here.
Wisconsin
Non-binding advisory questions in 16 counties asking voters to weigh in on medical or adult-use cannabis legalization.
Absentee voting: Requests for an absentee ballot must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2018.
Early voting begins: Sept. 22, 2018
The bulk of Wisconsin municipalities allow for early voting that started Sept. 22, 2018, but there’s no statewide timeline so check with your municipal clerk to confirm. The University of Wisconsin maintains a list of updated early voting dates.
This article has been republished from Marijuana Moment under a content syndication agreement. Read the original article here.
