Voting Matters - Make Your Voice Heard!
Your vote is your voice! Learn more about upcoming elections, how to register, and how to get non-partisan assistance.
MI.gov/Vote: Michigan Secretary of State - Voter Information Center
MichiganVoting.org: Voter Information - Non-Partisan Resource
Clean Water Action is a Michigan Voting Partner Organization
Last Updated November 2024
Election Information
Polls Open 7am to 8pm
Clerk Offices and Satellite Offices For Same-Day Registration are open 7am to 8pm.
Absentee Ballots must be received by mail or dropped off by 8pm
Early Voting is available for at least 9 consecutive days beginning on the second Saturday before the election and ending on the following Sunday, for at least 8 hours each day. Opening and closing hours and additional early voting days may vary.
Voter Registration
Voter Registration Information
- Register Online or By Mail within 15 days of an Election Date
- Register In-Person within 14 days of an Election Date through 8pm on Election Day at your clerk's office or satellite office.
- If you register within 14 days of Election Day, you must show proof of residency (paper or digital) with your name and current address. Documents must have your name and current address. Acceptable documents include:
Michigan Driver’s License
Michigan Identification Card
Current utility bill
Bank statement
Paycheck or government check
Another government document
- If you register within 14 days of Election Day, you must show proof of residency (paper or digital) with your name and current address. Documents must have your name and current address. Acceptable documents include:
Check Your Voter Registration Status
Address Confidentiality The Michigan Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) allows victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, or at risk of being threatened or physically harmed to be assigned a substitute address that can be used when registering to vote.
Pre-Registration: 16 and 17 year olds in Michigan can pre-register to vote.
You can register and vote if you have a felony or misdemeanor, are on probation, parole, or tether, or are awaiting arraignment, trial, or sentencing. You cannot register and vote if you are incarcerated while actively serving a sentence.
You can register if you don't have a stable address using a street corner, park, shelter, or any place you usually stay, an advocacy or outreach center, or the home of someone else who will accept your mail.
Students can choose to register at their home or school address in Michigan. Your drivers license or Michigan ID address will be automatically updated, although your address of choice can be changed with the Secretary of State at a later date.
Out of state students attending school in Michigan can choose to register and vote in Michigan or in their home state. Students from Michigan attending school outside the state can choose to vote in Michigan using their home address or out of state using their school address. Out of state registration and voting requirements and deadlines vary.
Absentee Ballots
No reason is needed to receive and cast an absentee ballot in Michigan, but the absentee ballot must be requested.
As of May 2023 you can sign up for the Permanent Mail Ballot List to receive a ballot in the mail automatically for every election (with the exception of primary elections where you must choose which party to vote for - your clerk will send you a notice two months before asking which ballot you would like). Previously, Michigan voters could only sign up to receive an absentee ballot application before each election. You can join the Permanent Mail Ballot List when you apply for an absentee ballot for an upcoming election. To check if you are on the list, which mailing address your ballot will be sent to if you are, or to remove yourself from the list, please check with your city or township clerk. You can look up their contact information at mi.gov/vote.
Within two weeks of an election, it is highly recommended to request and receive your absentee ballot in-person at your clerk's office. If you’re already registered at your current address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at your clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the election.
Request An Absentee Ballot Online
Download An Absentee Ballot Application
Cast Your Vote
You can cast your vote in Michigan:
- Absentee Ballot, returned by mail must arrive by 8pm on Election Day, and envelope must be signed. Within two weeks of an election, it is highly recommended to drop off absentee ballots at your clerk's office or designated drop box or to vote in-person to ensure your ballot is counted.
- Absentee Ballot, dropped off at your clerk's office, satellite office, or designated drop box. You must use a drop box in the city or township where you're registered to vote.
- At an Early Voting Site available for each statewide and federal election for at least nine consecutive days, beginning on the second Saturday before the election and ending on the Sunday before the election, for at least eight hours each day. Some cities and townships may offer multiple early voting site options for your address.
- At your Polling Place on Election Day
- At your clerk's office or satellite office when registering within 14 days of Election Day
Voter identification is not required for most voters, although the process will go faster if you bring a photo ID to the polls.
You have the right to vote even if you don't have a photo ID by signing a simple form called an affidavit and then casting your ballot as usual.
If you are a first time Michigan voter who registered by mail or at a voter registration drive without providing your Michigan drivers license, state identification, or Social Security number you will need to provide digital or paper documentation of identity (Photo ID with your name, but does not need to include an address or your current address) and residency (a document with your name and current address).
Voting Questions or Problems
Michigan Voting Rights Information - 866ourvote.org
You have the right to vote! If you have questions, problems, or experience difficulties or harassment registering to vote or casting your ballot, contact the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline for assistance or to report a concern:
- English - 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
- Spanish - 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
- Arabic - 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
- Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali - 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
- Text Chat Assistance - 866ourvote.org
