Election 2026 · Marquette
Marquette County is the only U.P. county in a nonpartisan poll-observer project Tuesday: what its 40-plus volunteers will check
MARQUETTE — More than 40 volunteers will watch Marquette County polling places from opening to closing on Tuesday, Nov. 3, as part of a statewide nonpartisan observation effort, and Marquette is the only Upper Peninsula county taking part.
The Michigan Election Observation Project trained the group, made up of Northern Michigan University students and retirees, on Sunday, Nov. 1, WLUC-TV6 reported. A recruiting notice posted by United Way of Marquette County says the project is run through the Carter Center, the Atlanta organization founded by former President Jimmy Carter, and held trainings in Traverse City on Oct. 31 and in Marquette on Nov. 1.
Observers use forms and a checklist built around Michigan election law, regional coordinator Max Bone told WLUC. He said they will verify “everything from that a zero tape is printed in the beginning correctly to verifying that seal numbers are correct and verified, to that the polling location opens on time,” and will note which groups are present through the day.
A zero tape is the printout a tabulator produces before voting starts, showing that no ballots have been counted. Seal numbers are recorded on ballot containers and voting equipment so any tampering can be spotted.
The project plans to report how the election was run and recommend improvements afterward. “Our only interest here is the accessibility, transparency and integrity of the electoral processes in the state of Michigan,” Bone said. Volunteers will wear vests and lanyards.
The recruiting notice says observers “do not take sides, interfere with election officials, or challenge voters,” and each signs the Carter Center’s Declaration of Principles and Code of Conduct. That makes them different from election challengers, who are appointed under Michigan law by political parties and certain organized groups and may raise formal challenges at the polls.
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The Marquette County clerk’s election notices page lists the general election notice, the public accuracy test notice and the board of canvassers meeting notice for the Nov. 3 election.
Sources:
WLUC-TV6, “Nonpartisan volunteers train to observe Marquette County elections” (Nov. 1, 2026; training, number of volunteers, Max Bone quotes, only U.P. county), https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2026/11/01/nonpartisan-volunteers-train-observe-marquette-county-elections/
United Way of Marquette County / Yoopers United, “Become a Nonpartisan Election Observer This November” (Carter Center role, trainings, code of conduct), https://www.yoopersunited.com/need/detail/?need_id=1333363
Marquette County Clerk, County Election Notices (Nov. 3, 2026 general election), https://co.marquette.mi.us/departments/county_clerk/electionnotices.php
Photo: Paul R. Burley, “Marquette County Courthouse Michigan 20220620-7157,” Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marquette_County_Courthouse_Michigan_20220620-7157.jpg
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