How to vote by mail or vote early in Michigan

How to vote by mail or vote early in Michigan

Due to the passage of the statewide ballot proposal 18-3, all eligible and registered voters in Michigan may now request an absent voter ballot without providing a reason.

Check your Michigan voter registration here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/

To register to vote in Michigan, visit this website: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8716_8726_47669---,00.html

VOTING BY MAIL

Step 1: Apply for your absentee ballot

You have 3 options for applying for your Michigan absentee ballot.

1. Complete the online form located here starting August 20th (it is not currently open for the general election, yet): https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/avapplication

2. Complete, print, and sign (by hand, no digital signatures!) the applicable form listed here under Absent voter ballot applications https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8716-21037--,00.html

Once you've completed your Michigan mail-in ballot request form, you have 4 options for returning it to your county clerk’s office:

1. Mail it

2. Fax it

3. Email it as an attachment

4. Drop it off in person

   • If obtaining your absent voter ballot in person, you will be requested to show photo ID. 

   • If you are not in possession of photo ID, you can simply sign an affidavit stating you are not in possession of photo ID.  (This requirement does not apply if requesting your ballot via mail, email, or fax.)

You can find your county clerk’s address, fax number, email, and office location by selecting your county in the dropdown menu here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Clerk

Absentee ballot request forms must be submitted NO LATER than 5:00 PM on October 31st.

Step 2: Vote and return your ballot

Once you receive your absentee ballot, follow the instructions that your county elections official provides with your ballot carefully to make sure it will be counted.

Absentee ballots must be RECEIVED (not just postmarked) by 8:00 PM on November 3rd.

You have 3 options for returning your Ohio absentee ballot:

1. Mail it to your county clerk’s office. You can find your county clerk’s office here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Clerk

2. Place your ballot in a secure dropbox no later than 8:00 PM on November 3rd. You can find a list of ballot box locations, listed alphabetically by county in the first, left hand column here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/Ballot_Dropbox_Locations_697191_7.pdf

3. Drop it off in person at your county clerk’s office by close of business on November 3rd. Check with your county clerk’s office to confirm how late they are open. Some offices may close earlier than the polls! You can find your county clerk’s office, with their office hours, here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Clerk

Your ballot will NOT be counted unless your signature is on the return envelope and matches your signature on file. 

***If you received assistance voting the ballot, the signature of the person who helped you must also be on the return envelope.

Step 3: Check the status of your ballot

Once you submit your Michigan mail-in ballot, make sure to check its status here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/

If you have requested an absentee ballot and wish to vote in person on Election Day (November 3rd) because your ballot has not been received, you will have to vote a provisional ballot. Make sure that if you vote a provisional ballot that you track your ballot’s status at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/

Early voting

For early voting, Michigan voters can cast absentee ballots beginning 45 days prior to Election Day.  Follow the steps above to vote early.

For more information on voting in Michigan, including voter registration and deadlines, visit https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/