Voting FAQ
Who is eligible to vote?
To vote you must be:
- A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident
of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
- A United States citizen
- At least 18 years of age (when you vote)
- Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison
Can I vote as a student?
Yes. According to the Secretary of State's
website
:
If you're from Michigan and go to school...
- In Michigan: register to vote at either your school address or your
home address.
- Out of state: register to vote at your home address in
Michigan.
If you're from out of state and go to school in Michigan: register to vote at
your school address in Michigan. (Remember to update your address each time
you move).
Who needs to register or re-register?
- New voters (people who are just turning 18)
- People who are new to Michigan
- People who move to a new city within Michigan
(Note: if you move within a city where
you’re already registered, you only need to
update your address.)
I haven't voted in a while. How can I check my registration?
How late can I register to vote?
How do I get an absentee ballot?
You can request an absentee ballot online
or in person at
your local clerk's office.
(Enter your address at the top to find it.)
At the same time, you can also
check the additional box to be added to
the permanent absentee ballot list, so that you
will automatically get a ballot for all future elections.
See the Secretary of State's website for
more information about absentee voting.
How do I track my ballot?
- Using the Michigan Secretary of State's website, you can
check the status
of your absentee ballot.
- Or you can
subscribe
to receive automatic emails when your ballot is
mailed to you,
received, and processed.
What if my ballot didn't arrive in the mail?
- You can ask for a new ballot at your city or township clerk's office
until 4 p.m. on the day before election day.
- On election day, you can vote in person at your polling place.
- Officials at either of these locations will guide you through the process.
What help is there for people with disabilities?
- Voters with print disabilities can
apply for an accessible ballot
that can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to your local clerk.
- All voters, including voters with disabilities, have access to a
Voter Assist Terminal in all polling places.
The Voter Assist Terminal
allows the voter to mark their choices
using the electronic interface and then print a ballot with
those choices marked.
The printed ballot is scanned into the tabulator machine
in exactly the same fashion as all other ballots.
- Learn more about accessible voting.
Can I change my vote?
- If you turned in your absentee ballot:
You can submit a written and signed request to your local clerk's office to cancel
your ballot and receive a new one.
Your request must be received by 5 pm at least two Fridays before Election day.
We recommend submitting your request in person so you can get your new ballot right away.
To find your local clerk's office, enter your address at the very top of this page.
- If you have your ballot:
You can vote at a polling place or early voting site.
Workers at the site will help you get a new ballot.
- If you voted at an early voting or polling location,
your vote cannot be changed.
What if I have an emergency on Election Day?
You may request an emergency absent voter ballot after the deadline
for regular absent voter ballots has passed, but before 4 PM on
Election Day.
The emergency must have made it impossible for you to apply for a regular
absent voter ballot.
For more information about emergency absent voter ballots,
contact your local clerk's office.
(To find your clerk, enter your address at the very top of this page.)
What if I don't have an ID on election day?
- If you don't have your ID with you,
you will be asked to sign a form to confirm your identity.
Once you sign,
the poll workers will check if you appear on the
precinct's registration list. If you are on the list, you can still vote.