Michigan

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State of Michigan Elections and Voting

Election Day is November 5

  • October 21                  Last day to register to vote online or by-mail
  • November 1                Last day to request an absentee ballot online or by mail
  • November 3                Last day to vote early in-person at your clerk’s office
  • November 5                Deadline to register to vote in person at your clerk’s office
  • November 5                Election Day

 

To be eligible to vote in Michigan, you must be:

  • A U.S. citizen
  • At least 17.5 years old (18 years old when you vote)
  • A resident of Michigan and the city or township where you are applying to register to vote for at least 30 days
  • Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

 

How to register to vote:

Eligible citizens can register to vote in person at their local clerk’s office up to and on Election Day anytime up to 8 p.m.

 

Voter ID Requirements

You will be asked to show ID when you check in to vote. ID types you can use to check in are:

  • Driver’s license or personal ID card
  • Federal or state government-issued photo ID
  • U.S. passport
  • Military identification card with photo
  • Student identification with photo
  • Tribal identification card with photo

Michigan election law anticipates that not all voters will have picture ID. Voters who do not have acceptable picture ID or forgot to bring acceptable picture ID to the polls can vote like any other voter by signing an affidavit.

Visit VoteRiders for more information on voter ID requirements in Michigan.

 

Absentee Voting

Any registered Michigan voter who is at least 18 years old and is not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison may apply for an absentee ballot without providing a reason.

Within two weeks of election day, to avoid possible postal delays, we recommend making your request in person at your local city or township clerk office. You’ll be able to fill out and submit your ballot while there.

  • Online – Registered voters can request an absentee ballot online through our absentee voter request form before 5 p.m. the Friday before the election.
  • Call your city or township clerk and ask that an application be mailed to you
  • Download an application to return by mail or in person to your local city or township clerk
  • If you’re already registered at your current address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at your clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the election.

Your completed absentee ballot should be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can submit by mail, or by hand-delivering the ballot to your clerk’s office or their drop box. If you are returning your ballot within two weeks of election day, we recommend hand-delivering your ballot to avoid possible postal delays.

Begin the process early by mailing in your application for an absentee ballot as soon as possible. Applications can be submitted up to 75 days before an election.

 

In-Person Early Voting

Michigan voters have the right to cast a ballot early and in person at an early voting site before Election Day. The early voting period takes place for a minimum of nine consecutive days, ending on the Sunday before an election. Communities may decide to provide additional days of early voting, up to 29 days total.

Voters may only cast a ballot at their assigned early voting site(s). Some voters may only have one assigned early voting site, while others may have several locations to choose from.

Early voting site locations, dates, and hours are available 60 days prior to Election Day at Michigan.gov/Vote.

 

Resources

 

Tribes in Michigan

Federally recognized tribes

  • Hannahville Indian Community
  • Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
  • Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan
  • Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan and Indiana
  • Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan
  • Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
  • Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
  • Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Michigan
  • Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
  • Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
  • Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
  • Bay Mills Indian Community

State recognized tribes

  • Burt Lake Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians
  • Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians
  • Mackinac Bands of Chippewar and Ottawa Indians
  • Swan Creek Black River Confederated Ojibwa Tribes of Michigan

Native Vote Coordinators

Sign up to be a local Native Vote coordinator today!

 

Major Party Contact Information

Democrat
Chair, Lavora Barnes
www.michigandems.com

Republican
Chair, Kristina Karamo
www.migop.org

Posted in States.