Voting Before Election Day in Michigan

All registered voters in Michigan can vote before Election Day using an absentee ballot. You don’t need an excuse or a reason. At least 75 days prior to each election, you can apply for an absentee ballot online, by mail, or in person.

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In 2022, voters passed a constitutional amendment requiring the addition of 9 days of in-person early voting at “early voting sites.” These sites will operate similar to traditional polling locations, but may be set up to serve voters from more than one city or township. Though the first election that will require this change will be the 2024 presidential primary, some communities may begin offering this option in 2023.

 

Applying to Vote Absentee

You can apply for an absentee ballot online, by mail, or in person. Michigan voters may now sign up to receive an absentee ballot automatically for each election, instead of having to submit a new application each time. When completing your absentee ballot application, check the box indicating you would like a ballot mailed to you before each election to join the permanent mail ballot list. 

 

Online requests can be made up until 5 PM the Friday before Election Day and will require a valid Michigan driver license or state ID. 

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You can also download and print a paper absentee voter application online and then return it to your city or township clerk by mail or in person. If you do not have internet access, you can also call your city or township clerk and request that the paper application be mailed to you. 

 

Visiting your city or township clerk’s office in person is the best option if you are trying to request an absentee ballot very close to Election Day. 

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How do I request an absentee ballot if I have a disability?

Voters with print disabilities may apply for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot that can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to the city or township clerk. To apply online for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot, complete this form.

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Submitting your Absentee Ballot 

After you submit your absentee ballot application, the clerk will mail you your absentee ballot. Or, if you have turned in your application in person at the clerk’s office, they may give you your ballot right there. Generally, your absentee ballot MUST be received by your city or township clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. Absentee ballots from military and overseas voters, however, can be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received by the city or township clerk within six days thereafter. 

 

Your ballot will not be counted unless your signature is on the return envelope and matches your signature on file. If you received assistance voting the ballot, then the signature of the person who helped you must also be on the return envelope. 

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There are a few options to submit your completed absentee ballot: 

• By mail: We recommend putting your ballot in the mail no later than two weeks prior to Election Day

• In person: Drop it off at your city or township clerk's office or in a secure drop box provided by your clerk. Only you, a family member or person residing in your household, a mail carrier, or election official is authorized to deliver your signed absentee ballot to your clerk's office.

• Pick up: Your city or township clerk can pick up your completed ballot. To use this option, your completed ballot must be within the city or township where you vote, and you must call your city or township clerk by 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day to request that your ballot be picked up.

 

All registered voters can track their completed ballot by looking up their information here.

 

Can I change my vote after submitting my absentee ballot?

A voter can spoil their completed and submitted ballot by mailing a written request to their city or township clerk or visiting their clerk’s office in person. 

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• By mail: Request must be received by 5 PM the Friday before the election

• In person: Request must be received by 10 AM the Monday prior to the election

 

An absentee ballot that has not been returned to the clerk may be spoiled in person at the clerk’s office until 4 PM the Monday prior to the election. If a voter has not returned their ballot, they can surrender the ballot or sign a statement stating that the ballot was lost or destroyed and vote at the polls. There is no option on Election Day to spoil an absentee ballot that has been received by the clerk.