GET OUT THE VOTE
Voting is Easy!
Important Dates
- November 5, 2019 – local elections in some cities/townships.
- March 10, 2020 – Michigan Democratic Presidential Primary
- August 4, 2020 – Primary Election
- November 3, 2020 – General Election
Register to Vote
How do I register to vote?
Find out if you’re registered here
You can register to vote anytime through 8 pm on Election Day, but it’s easier if you do it at least fifteen days before Election Day.
Through the 15th day before Election Day [October 21, 2019 for the November 5, 2019 municipal elections], you can register any of these ways: in person at any Secretary of State branch office; at your city/township clerk’s office or your county clerk’s office; through a registration drive; or by mail with this form.
Beginning on the 14th day before Election Day [October 22, 2019 for Nov. 2019 municipal elections], you can only register in person at your city/township clerk’s office, and you’ll need proof of residency. Find your clerk here
What works for proof of residency?
Driver’s license or state ID; utility bill; bank statement; paycheck; government check; other government document. Documents must have name and current address in the place where you are registering. Electronic copies are ok.
Am I eligible to vote?
In order to register to vote, you must be: a U.S. citizen; at least 18 years old by Election Day; a resident of Michigan and the city/township where you are registering for at least 30 days prior to Election Day; and not serving a sentence in jail or prison. You do not need photo ID in order to register to vote! If you do not have photo ID, you can sign a simple form saying that and still register.
What if I moved?
When you move, you need to update your registration so that you can vote at your new address. There is no charge for this.
- Online: If you have a regular Michigan driver’s license or state ID (not an enhanced one), you can update your voter registration address simply by updating your driver’s license or state ID address online at https://onlineservices.
michigan.gov/ExpressSOS. This will automatically update your voter registration as well. - By Mail: You can update your voter registration address by mail with this form.
- In Person: You can update your voter registration address in person at any Secretary of State branch office, or at your city/township clerk’s office.
Vote Early
All registered voters can vote early now by absentee ballot – you don’t need a reason. Early voting starts 45 days before Election Day, when absentee ballots are available.
Option 1: Vote early from home
- Step 1: Apply for your absentee ballot. Fill out this Absent Voter Ballot Application, print it and mail it to your city/township clerk. Your ballot will be mailed to you about 45 days before Election Day
- Step 2: Vote and submit your ballot. Vote your ballot, sign the outer envelope and mail it back to your city/township clerk. Don’t forget to attach enough postage.
- Step 3: Track your ballot. You can track the status of your absentee ballot online at michigan.gov/vote. If it doesn’t arrive, contact your clerk.
Important! Your ballot must be received by 8 pm on Election Day in order to count. Postmarked by Election Day doesn’t work! If it’s less than a week before Election Day when you’re ready to return your ballot, it’s best to drop it off at your city/township clerk’s office to make sure your ballot will be counted.
Option 2: Vote Early at Clerk’s Office
- Starting 45 days before Election Day [September 21, 2019 for the November 5, 2019 municipal elections], go to your city/township clerk’s office and request an absentee ballot. You can also register first if necessary. Find your clerk here.
- Vote your ballot and return it to the clerk. You’re done!
- The deadline for voting early at your clerk’s office is the Monday before Election Day at 4 pm.
Permanent Absentee Application List
To automatically receive an application for an absentee ballot before each election, you can sign up for your city/township clerk’s permanent absentee application list. You’ll still have to complete and return the application each time in order to receive your ballot for that election, but the application will automatically be sent to you.
Ways to sign up for the permanent absentee application list:
- Check box 3b, Future Elections, on the Absent Voter Ballot Application
- Call or email your clerk and request to be added to the list
- Sign up on your clerk’s website (if available)
- Fill out this request form and mail it or deliver it to your clerk
Vote on Election Day
When are polls open?
Polls are open on Election Day from 7 am to 8 pm. Find your polling place and see what’s on the ballot at michigan.gov/vote.
Can I register to vote on election day?
If it’s Election Day and you’re not yet registered to vote, you can still register! But you can’t do that at your polling place. To register on Election Day, you need to go to your city/township clerk’s office by 8 pm. Once you register, you can also vote there — you don’t need to go to your polling place. Find your clerk’s office here.
What if there’s a problem?
If you go to your polling place on Election Day and you have any problem getting a ballot, remember that you can go to your city/township clerk’s office until 8 pm, re-register and vote right there. This is likely to be a better option than a provisional ballot, because provisional ballots often do not get counted.
