ESCANABA — Some Delta County voters who are voting via absentee ballot have expressed confusion over how their vote should be cast for the upcoming May recall election for the Delta County Commission.

Prior to 2012, voters would vote whether or not to recall a public official. Then, if the official was removed from office, a second election was held three months later to fill the seat.

“If three county board seats were to be recalled, with only two board members, the County Board would not have a quorum and no business could be conducted for three months,” explained Delta County Clerk Nancy Przewrocki.

To correct the problem, Michigan’s election law was changed in 2012 to place officials under recall on the same ballot as their challengers. Now, voters simply select the candidate they wish to have fill the seat — whether that candidate already holds the seat or not — and the winner of the election will fill out the rest of the position’s term.

While the change has made recall elections simpler for voters, the process of recalling an official became much harder as a result of the change. Now, those seeking to recall an official must go through the process of having petition language approved, circulate petitions and gather enough signatures to trigger a recall, have those signatures verified, and have a candidate ready to appear on the ballot. If no candidate steps forward, the work of triggering the recall is all for naught. The official then would be running unopposed for their own seat — and guaranteed victory.

That scenario does not apply to this election. All three county commissioners who are the subject of the recall have challengers whose names will appear on the ballot. Commissioner Bob Barron (R), of District 3, will face off against Myra Croasdell (no party affiliation); Commissioner Dave Moyle (R), of District 4, will face Kelli Van Ginhoven (D); and Commissioner Bob Petersen (R), of District 5, will face Matt Jensen (no party affiliation).

Those who live in districts 3, 4, and 5 will be able to vote in-person on May 7 at their regular polling place. There will be no in-person early voting, as this is not a state or federal election.