LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Oakland County, Michigan’s second-largest county and a political bellwether, announced Monday that it will use up to $575,000 in federal coronavirus relief aid to provide prepaid postage on absentee ballots in the November presidential election.

The spending was authorized by a unanimous vote last week, with Democrats and Republicans on the county board in support. The county north of Detroit said it is the first one in the state to pay for postage on all ballots returned by mail.

The cost per ballot is $0.65, though voters typically use two stamps and end up paying $1.10, according to county commissioners.

The recommendation for prepaid postage was made by a group created by the board to ensure elections are safe and secure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The council — which includes the county’s elections director, several city clerks and voting-rights advocates — has also urged all residents to vote by mail to avoid potential exposure to the virus at polling places.

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