VOTE BEFORE ELECTION DAY
You can vote before Election Day!
In all elections, registered voters in Michigan can vote before Election Day using an “absentee ballot.” You don’t need an excuse or a reason. You can vote before Election Day by absentee ballot from home or by visiting your city or township clerk’s office.
With the passage of Proposal 2 of 2022, registered voters will also be able to vote in some elections at an “early voting site” using a regular ballot. Additional information on early voting will be coming soon.
How do I vote FROM HOME before Election Day?
Step 1: Request Your Ballot
Complete an application for an absentee ballot, sign it using your official signature, and submit it to your city or township clerk. You can submit your completed application by email, mail, fax, or in person. You can track when your application is received by your clerk and when your ballot is mailed to you by going to the Michigan Voter Information Center michigan.gov/vote and entering the required information.
Starting in 2023, registered voters will be able to submit a single request to have an absentee ballot sent to them for all future elections. Additional information on this process will be coming soon.
Step 2: Fill Out Your Ballot
Look for your absentee ballot to arrive in the mail. Once it arrives, fill it out, place it in the envelope provided, and sign the outside of the envelope with your official signature.
Step 3: Turn in Your Ballot
You should submit your completed ballot as soon as possible. In most cases, your completed ballot must be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day to count. However, if you are serving the military or living overseas, your completed ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by your city or township clerk within six days after the election.
You have many ways to submit your completed ballot:
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By mail (we recommend putting your ballot in the mail no later than two weeks prior to Election Day).
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By dropping it off at your city or township clerk's office or in a secure drop box provided by your clerk.
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By having an immediate family member (including a grandparent, grandchild, or in-law) or a person residing in your household drop it off for you.
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If none of the above options are possible, by having your city or township clerk 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.
Where can I get an application for an absentee ballot?
At least 75 days prior to each election, you can print and submit an application for an absentee ballot from the Michigan Voter Information Center michigan.gov/vote. Alternatively, you can call your city or township clerk and ask that an application be mailed to you. You may also use any application for an absentee ballot provided to you by the Secretary of State, your clerk, a political party or another organization.
If you have a current Michigan driver's license or state ID, you can complete your application online at michigan.gov/vote.
What is the deadline to vote FROM HOME before Election Day?
Submit your application as soon as possible. We strongly recommend submitting your application at least a month before the election to give ample time to receive your ballot, complete it, and return it to your city or township clerk.
In most cases, your completed ballot must be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day to count. However, if you are serving the military or living overseas, your completed ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by your city or township clerk within six days after the election.
How do I vote IN PERSON before Election Day using an ABSENTEE BALLOT?
Step 1: Go to your city or township clerk’s office.
Step 2: Complete an application for an absentee ballot and submit it to the staff.
Step 3: Complete your ballot, place it in the envelope provided, sign the outside of the envelope with your official signature, and submit it to the staff.
When can I vote IN PERSON using an ABSENTEE BALLOT before Election Day?
You can go to your city or township clerk’s office starting 40 days before Election Day to vote in person using an absentee ballot. If you are already registered to vote where you live, the deadline to vote IN PERSON before Election Day using an absentee ballot is the Monday before Election Day at 4 p.m. If you need to register to vote, the deadline to register and vote at your city or township clerk’s office using an absentee ballot is 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Where is my city or township clerk’s office and when is it open?
Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center michigan.gov/vote and enter your address to find the information for your city or township clerk. If your city or township clerk operates a satellite office or offices, the hours and locations of those offices will be posted as well. Alternatively, you can call your city or township clerk’s office and ask for their hours and location(s).
City and township clerks’ offices must be open during their normal hours, for at least eight hours the weekend before each election, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Is my clerk’s office accessible?
You have the right to an accessible voting location and an accessible voting machine. If your clerk’s office is not accessible or there is no accessible voting machine, call your city or township clerk right away, report it, and ask for an alternate site. You can also call the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) to report the issue.
How do I vote IN PERSON before Election Day using a REGULAR BALLOT?
With the passage of Proposal 2 of 2022, registered voters will be able to vote in some elections at an “early voting site” using a regular ballot. Additional information on early voting will be coming soon.