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1. What is an absentee ballot?

A way of voting if you are unable to get to your polling place on election day.

2. Who Is Eligible For An Absentee Ballot?

Any registered voter.

3. How Do I Apply For An Absentee Ballot?

To apply for an absentee ballot, follow these simple steps:

1. Contact the clerk of the city or township where you are registered to vote.
2. You need to state in your request:
   • You are a registered voter of the city or township
   • State the address where you are registered to vote
   • Advise the clerk where your absentee ballot should be mailed  
   • Sign your request
3. You may apply by letter, post card, application or by Federal Post Card Application.

4. When May I Apply?

All registered voters in Michigan can now vote before Election Day using what’s called an absentee ballot. You don’t need an excuse or a reason. You can vote by absentee ballot through the mail, without leaving your home. Use the online form to apply or contact your local city or township clerk. You can also go to your city or township clerk’s office or drop box to return your absentee ballot.

• For additional information, please visit the Department of State Vote at Home/Absentee Voting page.

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1. Where can I register to vote?

You may register to vote at your County Clerk’s Office, your city or township clerk’s office, at any Secretary of State branch office or you may register to vote by mail 15 days prior to the election. 

You may register to vote in person with your City/Township Clerk's office until 8:00 P.M. on Election Night. 

Registering To Vote By Mail

You may register to vote by mail using this Michigan voter application (PDF) to vote. The form will supply you with the names and addresses of all of the county clerks in Michigan so that you can mail the application directly to your county clerk. Some city clerks’ names and addresses are also listed.

2. What are the qualifications needed to register to vote?

In order to register to vote you must be:

• A United States citizen
• At least 18 years of age on or before the date of election at which you seek to vote
• A Michigan resident for at least 30 days before the election

To register in person 14 days or less prior to the Election you will need to show proof of residency. (A photocopy of a paycheck stub, utility bill, bank document or government document that lists both your name and your address).

3. Will I ever have to re-register?

Registration in Michigan is permanent, however, any time you move from one community and into another in this state you must re-register.

4. How can I request a change of address or change of name?

If you change your address within a community, the clerk should be notified so that you may be placed into the correct precinct. You may also change your address at any Secretary of State branch office.

Any name change due to marriage or legal action should be reported to the clerk by mail, in person, or at a Secretary of State branch office.

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1. Where do I Vote?

You can find your polling place online.

2. When are the Polls open?

Polling hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

3. What should I bring with me to vote?

It is recommended that voters bring one of the following acceptable forms of photo ID to the polls:

• Michigan driver's license or state-issued ID card
• Current driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
• Federal or state government-issued photo identification
• U.S. passport
• Military ID with photo
• Student identification with photo from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning
• Tribal identification card with photo

4. Can I wear election related clothing to the polls?

No. Michigan prohibits the practice of displaying election-related materials at the polls, including clothing and buttons as well as materials such as pamphlets, fliers and stickers. You cannot display such items in the polling place or within 100 feet of an entrance to a polling place. If you go to the polls with a shirt or button bearing election-related images or slogans, you will be asked to cover or remove it.

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1. What is meant by “Straight Party Ticket”, “Split Ticket”, or “Mixed Ticket”?

These terms apply only to the partisan part of your ballot in a General Election (not a Primary):

• Voters may quickly vote a Straight Ticket for all candidates of one political party. Vote for all by marking your ballot for one party.
• Split Ticket by overriding their Straight Ticket choice for any office. Each candidate under the party selected will receive a vote except where superseded by a direct vote for a candidate.
  • Note: if you vote for candidates of more than one political party in a primary election, none of your partisan selections will be counted.
• Mixed Ticket by selecting each office individually and not selecting a party.
• If you vote a "straight ticket," only the partisan offices are included. The following offices (at the state level) are not included: Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Although Supreme Court candidates are usually nominated by political parties, their names appear on the "nonpartisan" portion of the ballot.

2. Where can I get additional information about voting in Michigan?

You may find more information at the Michigan Secretary of State's website.

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1. Can I vote in the primary election if I am not a registered Democrat or Republican?

Yes. You do not have to register as a member of any party to vote in a Michigan Primary. We have an "Open" Primary. Any registered voter can vote in a Primary.

2. Can I vote on either party’s primary ticket?

Yes, but you must choose all candidates from one party or the other in the Primary. As a Primary voter you will be given a ballot that has a column with the Republican candidates for various offices and a column with Democratic candidates for the same offices. The ballot will also have a third column for Nonpartisan offices such as judges and for Proposals. All voters can cast votes in the third column on nonpartisan candidates and proposals.

3. Can I vote in more than one primary?

No. You cannot crossover (select partisan candidates from more than one party) in a Primary election. If you do, your votes for partisan candidates will be invalidated.

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1. How can I vote for someone whose name is not on the ballot (a “write-in candidate")?

If you want to write in the name of someone who is not on the ballot and have your vote count, you may do so in the space provided on your ballot. Write-in votes will be counted only if that person has filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate as required by law.

2. What if a candidate dies before the election?

If a candidate whose name is printed on the official ballot for the election dies or is otherwise disqualified on or after the Wednesday immediately before the election, no declaration of intent is necessary. In such a case, the board of election inspectors shall count all write-in votes for write-in candidates for the office sought by the deceased or disqualified candidate.

3. How can I become a write-in candidate?

You must file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate with the filing official for the office you seek on or before 4 p.m. on the second Friday immediately before the election.