Voting Information and Resources

Published on July 18, 2022 in

Vote on Nov. 8

Find voting resources

On Nov. 8, Southeastern Michigan residents will vote in federal, state and local elections.  

Elections are an opportunity to ensure your voice is heard in shaping both the national agenda and the future of your community. This year, voters will decide which candidates will represent them in Congress, in the state legislature and in local administrative bodies such as school boards.  

It is especially important to vote this year as redistricting changes following the 2020 Census may have affected what your district looks like, who is running in your district and what policies they will focus on. 

Anyone can vote absentee in Michigan, and you can register to vote up to or even on Election Day at your local clerk’s office. Check out the resources below to find out where and how to vote and to see what’s on your ballot.

IMPORTANT DATES  

  • Oct. 24: Deadline to register for the Nov. 2 election by mail, online or at the Secretary of State (NOTE: You can still register up to and on Election Day at your clerk’s office.)  
  • Nov. 4: Last day to request an absentee ballot by mail. Request must be received by 5 p.m.  
  • Nov. 7: Last day to pick up an absentee ballot at your local clerk’s office by 4 p.m.  
  • Nov. 8: General Election. Your completed absentee ballot, whether submitted by mail or by hand-delivering the ballot to your clerk’s office or their drop box, must be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on this day.

Voting hub

Check your voter registration status and register to vote online

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Find your precinct and polling location

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Find out what’s on your ballot

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How to vote absentee

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Find out where to drop off your absentee ballot

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See how you can track your absentee ballot

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Your rights as a voter

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Language & Disability Voting Accessibility

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Find your clerk’s office location and hours

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Voter FAQ

Do I need a photo ID or proof of citizenship to register to vote?

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No! If you register to vote in person, you will be asked for a photo ID. If you don’t have one, you can sign a simple form stating that. If you register by mail or through a voter registration drive, write your Michigan driver’s license or personal ID number, or the last four digits of your social security number on the voter registration application where indicated.

Can I vote if I’m in jail or was convicted of a crime?

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The only time you cannot register and vote is when you are serving a sentence in jail or prison. You can register to vote and vote in the election:
• If you are in jail but have not been sentenced.
• If you are serving a sentence but are not in jail or prison.
• If you are on probation or parole but are not in jail or prison; or
• If you served your sentence and are no longer in jail or prison.

Can I vote if I am homeless?

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If you don’t have a home, you can register to vote using a street corner, park, shelter or any other place where you usually stay as your address. The address can be a local shelter, advocacy organization, outreach center or someone who will accept mail for you.

I am a college student living on or near my campus. Should I register to vote at my permanent Michigan home address or my school address?

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You can register either at your school address or at your home. If you do decide to register at an address that is different than what is listed on your driver’s license, be aware that any change to your voter registration address will auto-update the state’s records for your driver’s license address as well. You will receive a sticker in the mail to update the address on your license. You must be a resident of the city where you’re registering for 30 days before you vote.

I’m not from Michigan, but I go to school here. Can I vote in Michigan?

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Yes. You first need to register to vote in Michigan at your local clerk’s office. Bring documents that prove your residency. If you vote in Michigan, you cannot vote in your home state.

Voting absentee

What if I received my absentee ballot but then made a mistake on it or lost it, or it was destroyed?

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Visit your city/township clerk’s office as soon as possible to cancel your first absentee ballot and request a new one. If you still have the absentee ballot, because you made a mistake or it was only partially destroyed, take it with you. Or go to your polling place on Election Day, fill out a simple form and vote. If you have the absentee ballot, because you made a mistake or it was only partially destroyed, take it with you and surrender it.

What if I applied for an absentee ballot but decide I want to vote in person?

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Simply take your absentee ballot to your polling place on Election Day, surrender it and vote at the polling place.

Can I return my voted absentee ballot to my polling place on Election Day?

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No. If you haven’t returned your absentee ballot before Election Day, take it to your city/township clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Can someone else return my absentee ballot for me?

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Only a member of your immediate family can mail or deliver a ballot to the clerk for you. “Immediate family member” includes mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, grandparent, grandchild or a person residing in your household.

What can I do if I can’t get to my clerk’s office or a ballot drop box to return my ballot?

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If you need assistance returning a ballot, call your local clerk and ask them to pick up your ballot. The clerk is required to do this, or send an assistant to do it, if you or a family or household member can’t return the ballot, and the clerk doesn’t need to leave the city, township or village where you’re registered in order to pick it up.

Early voting

How do I vote early in person?

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Go to your city/township clerk’s office and request an absentee ballot. You can also register to vote first if necessary. Vote your ballot and return it to the clerk or their staff. You’re done!

Do I need a photo ID to vote early in person?

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No. But if you have it, bring it with you. You will be asked for a photo ID. If you do not have a photo ID or do not have it with you, you can sign a simple form and vote.

Are there weekend hours for voting early in person?

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Yes. All clerk’s offices are required to be open for at least 8 hours during the weekend before Election Day for registration and in person early voting.

Day of voting

Do I need a photo ID or my Voter Identification Card in order to vote in person?

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No. But if you have it, bring it with you. You will be asked for a photo ID. If you do not have a photo ID or do not have it with you, you can sign a simple form and vote. If this is your first time voting in Michigan, you still don’t need a photo ID. However, a small number of first-time voters who registered through the mail or a voter registration drive may need to provide some documentation to vote. Electronic or paper copies of any of the following will work:

A photo ID with your name and picture (regardless of the address or if it has an address):
• Driver’s license or personal ID card from any state
• High school or college ID
• Passport
• Military or government-issued photo ID; or
• Tribal ID card

A non-photo ID with your name and address on it:
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Paycheck stub
• Government check; or
• Any other government document

What if I make a mistake on my ballot or the voting machine malfunctions?

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If you make a mistake, ask for a new ballot right away. You have the right to a new ballot if you catch the mistake before your ballot is inserted into the tabulator machine and counted. If the tabulator machine rejects your ballot, ask for a new one. You have the right to start over. If the tabulator machine isn’t working, you can place your completed ballot into a bin in the tabulator machine. The poll workers will insert your ballot into the tabulator once the machine is working again.