Michigan Voting Guide

Voting provides citizens with an opportunity to support candidates who best represent their political views. While the state of Michigan makes voting accessible, knowing what you need to do before an upcoming election can make things much easier. Learn more in this Michigan Voting Guide.

Who Can Vote in Michigan?

You can vote in Michigan if you meet the following eligibility requirements:

• A citizen of the United States of America (Michigan does not require proof of citizenship to register or vote)
• A resident of Michigan and the town where you registered to vote
• At least 18 years of age on Election Day (Michigan residents can “preregister” at 16 and 17 in preregistration drives)

If you don’t meet all of the above, you won’t be permitted to vote.

Individuals who have been incarcerated for felony offenses have their voting rights automatically restored upon release. This applies while you’re still on probation or parole. You may need to register to vote in any upcoming elections, especially if your address has changed. Those in jail on misdemeanor charges or awaiting sentencing can still vote.

If you are unhoused for any reason, you can still vote if you meet both the 30-day residency requirement and have a location where you can receive mail. This can be any physical location where you regularly stay, including a street corner, shelter, or church. You may also provide the address of a location or individual who will accept your mail.

You don’t need to be fluent in English to vote. You may ask anyone to serve as an interpreter, as long as they are unlikely to influence your vote. The only people who may not serve as your interpreter are your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your labor union.

How To Register in Michigan

Michiganders have several ways to register to vote. They include:

• In person: You can obtain a voter registration form at the county clerk’s office, a township clerk’s office, or the Secretary of State’s branch offices. You can complete the form there or take it home and mail it back.
• Online: You can register to vote online up to 15 days before an election. To register online, you must have a Michigan driver’s license or state ID, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• By mail: You can mail the completed registration form with your Michigan driver’s license or ID number and Social Security number. If you do not have either of these and are registering to vote in Michigan for the first time, include a copy of a current, valid photo ID and a copy of another document (such as a utility bill or bank statement) that shows your name and current address.

If it is less than 14 days until the next election, voters must register in person and show proof of ID and residency at the county clerk’s office. Michigan has same-day registration for eligible voters.

Voters who are serving in the military or will be out-of-state can register online through the Secretary of State’s website. Service members can register and vote using the Federal Voter Assistance Program. Absentee ballots from overseas voters must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received within six days after Election Day to be counted.

How To Vote in Michigan

Michigan recently enacted early voting, with a minimum of at least nine days of early in-person voting for state and federal elections. Early voting begins on the second Saturday before Election Day and ends on the last Sunday before the election.

Some counties and municipalities may have extended early voting periods. You can get voting information at your local city or township clerk’s office.

Absentee and Mail-In Voting

Michigan does not require an excuse for absentee voting. Anyone may request an absentee ballot, which becomes available beginning 40 days before all primary elections and general elections.

Absentee ballots can be requested online. If you plan to use absentee ballots exclusively, you can be placed on the permanent absentee ballot list. You will be sent an absentee ballot for all federal, state, and local elections.

All mailed ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, not just postmarked. The Secretary of State’s Office recommends mailing absentee ballots at least two weeks prior to Election Day. Absentee ballots come postage prepaid.

If you cannot mail your ballot in time for it to arrive, you can deliver the sealed envelope:

• At a polling station drop box by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day
• To the polling station tabulator itself on Election Day
• To an early voting site
• To the County Clerk’s Office

Another member of a voter’s immediate family or someone residing in their household may return their absentee ballot if authorized to do so. The only other individuals who may deliver an absentee ballot are a U.S. Postal carrier or an election official.

How To Vote In Person

Registered in-person voters are not required to present an ID at a polling station, but it’s a good idea to have it with you anyway. Election officials cannot demand that you show your ID, but if you have one, it is unlawful to refuse to present it.

Your ID does not have to have your full birth name. It can have a shortened version of your name, such as “Bill” for “William” or “Sue” for “Suzanne.” Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

• Michigan driver’s license or state ID
• Any federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID
• U.S. passport
• Military photo ID
• College or university ID
• Tribal photo ID card

Voters who do not have a photo ID, or forgot to bring it on Election Day, can sign an affidavit swearing they are a Michigan resident and cast their ballot. Other election information about identification requirements can be found at the Secretary of State’s website.

Provisional Ballots

All U.S. citizens have the right to vote in federal elections, even if they don’t meet the eligibility requirements to vote in a Michigan election. A provisional ballot allows you to vote even if there are problems with your registration or identification.

You may be issued or request a provisional ballot if:

• Your name does not appear on the voter registration list at the polling place
• You are at the wrong polling location
• You do not have a valid form of ID
• You recently moved to Michigan, and your photo ID does not have your current physical address

All registered voters have the right to cast a ballot. If there are any issues at the polling place on Election Day, make sure you cast a provisional ballot before leaving.

Voting Locations and Ballot Status

The Michigan Voter Information Center’s website allows voters to locate their polling place, check their voter registration status, and track their ballot once it has been cast. In addition, election results and other election data are also available at this site.

Special Accommodations for Voting

Registered voters with disabilities have the right to access a polling place and to reasonable accommodation. Each polling place has at least one accessible voting booth and a Voter Assist Terminal.

Voters with disabilities can also request assistance from an election worker to complete their ballots. However, voters cannot receive assistance at a polling place from any of the following:

• Their employer
• Their employer’s representative
• A union representative

You can track your ballot on the Secretary of State’s site.

Illegal Activity at the Polls

Michigan state laws prohibit electioneering, harassing, annoying, or intimidating voters within 100 feet of a polling station. It is also an offense to make a disturbance with the intention of disrupting the election or hindering others during the election process.

If you see any illegal activities at the polls or during the election, do not attempt to intervene or handle it yourself. Report illegal activity to the election officials. If you believe someone is in danger, call law enforcement immediately.

Get Legal Help

You have an absolute right to vote as long as you meet the voter eligibility requirements. If you experience voter intimidation or harassment at your polling place, a civil rights attorney can help. They are experts in voting rights law and can give you sound legal advice.