I live in Michigan and want to vote in the November 6, 2018 election.


AM I ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN MICHIGAN?

CITIZENSHIP: You must be a citizen of the United States

AGE: You must be 18 by Nov. 6, 2018.

RESIDENCE: You must be a resident of Michigan and your city or township where you are applying to register to vote since Oct. 9, 2018.

If you’re eligible, register to vote!


UPDATE YOUR REGISTRATION

HAVE YOU MOVED SINCE YOU LAST VOTED?

If you have moved or changed your name, don’t forget to update your voter registration with your new information. If you have a driver’s license or state ID, the update will revise your driver’s license address also.

You can update your information by re-registering to vote by mail. You can fill in, print and mail the application.

Or you can reregister in person at a secretary of state branch office.

The deadline to update your registration is Oct. 9, 2018. The updated form must be postmarked by Oct. 9, 2018.

Are you already registered? Double-check to see if you’re still registered.

Download printable version: MI Eligibility & Update Registration

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HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE

You can register to vote by mail or in person by Oct. 9, 2018.

BY MAIL

I have a driver’s license or state ID.

You must use your driver’s license or state ID number when you fill out your registration application. You can fill out the application online, print, sign it and mail it to your city or county clerk address.

I do NOT have a driver’s license or state ID.

You can use your Social Security number and fill out your registration application online. Print the application, sign it and mail it to your city or county clerk.

You will need to include a copy of your ID or approved document with the application. If you are NOT able to include a copy at the time you register, you can bring your ID or approved document with you when you vote in person.

Deadline to register by mail: Must be postmarked by Oct. 9, 2018.

IN PERSON

You can register to vote in person at state agencies, secretary of state offices, county clerk offices and other sites.

Deadline to register in person: Oct. 9, 2018.

Download printable version: MI How to Register

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VOTE BY MAIL

Does Michigan allow voting by mail?
Any registered voter qualifies to receive an absentee ballot and vote by mail if at least one of these applies:

  • Age 60 years old or older
  • Unable to vote without assistance at the polls
  • Expecting to be out of town on Election Day, November 6, 2018
  • In jail awaiting arraignment or trial but not yet convicted
  • Unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons
  • Appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence

Can first-time voters vote by mail?
If you are a first-time voter who registered to vote by mail or through a voter registration drive, you cannot vote absentee in your first election—you must vote in person on Election Day.

What do I do to request a mail-in absentee ballot?
Turn in your written mail-in ballot request to your city or township clerk. To find out the address of your city or township clerk visit Michigan.gov/vote. Include one of the six reasons above and your signature.

You must request an absentee voter ballot by mailing any of these to the local clerk: the application; large print application; a letter; a postcard; or a pre-printed application form you receive from your local clerk's office.

Requests to have an absent voter ballot mailed to you must be received by your clerk no later than 2 p.m. on November 3, 2018.

Do I have to show ID to vote by mail?
No.

When do I need to return the mail-in ballot?
You have until 8 p.m. on November 6, 2018 to complete the ballot and return it to the clerk's office.

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, then the signature of the person who helped you must also be on the return envelope

How do I return the mail-in ballot?
You can return the ballot by mail or in person. You must return it in the envelope you received with the ballot. You can also deliver your ballot in person to the township clerk.

The ballot must be in the envelope you received with the ballot and you must sign the outside of the envelope.

Can I drop off the ballot at my polling place?
No. Your ballot must be received at the clerk’s office.

Can a friend drop off my mail-in ballot?
Only you, a family member or person residing in your household, a mail carrier, or election official is authorized to deliver your signed absent voter ballot to your clerk's office.
 

Download printable version: MI Vote by Mail

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LIST OF DOCUMENTS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTING

This is a list of documents you can show for voter registration and voting.

If you are registering to vote for the first time, you must fill out the Voter Registration Application, mail or hand deliver the completed form to your county, city, or township clerk’s office and either provide your state issued driver license number or personal ID card number where requested on the form OR include with the completed form a COPY of the following acceptable forms of ID (DO NOT MAIL ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS):

  • A Michigan driver’s license or state ID;
  • A photo ID from a government agency;
  • A student photo ID with a school document showing the student’s address; or
  • A document with your name and current address such as:
    • A current utility bill;
    • A bank statement;
    • A government check;
    • A paycheck; or
    • Another type of government document.

If you do not receive a voter ID card within 3 weeks, contact your clerk.

For voting on Election Day, you can show a photo ID to vote from this list:

  • Michigan driver's license or state-issued ID card;
  • 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; or
  • Tribal identification card with photo.

The ID does not need your address.

If you do NOT have one of these types of photo ID, you can still vote a regular ballot. You do NOT need to use a provisional ballot. You can sign a simple statement saying that you do not have a photo ID.

If you are voting for the first time, you must vote in person, unless:

  • You personally hand-delivered your registration form to your county, city, or township clerk’s office
  • You are 60 years of age or older
  • You are disabled
  • You are eligible to vote under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act

Download printable version: MI List of Documents

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: VOTER PROTECTION

Intimidation and harassment at your polling place
You have the right to be free from intimidation and harassment at your polling place. If someone tries to harass or intimidate you, you should call 1-866-687-8683 and report what happened. You should also tell your poll worker.

Voter Challenges
Voter challenges can be used to cause delays, uncertainty and intimidation. If someone challenges you, you can insist on your right to vote and ask to sign a sworn statement that confirms your identity and your address. You can also call 1-866-687-8683 and report what happened.

Video or photos of problems
You can use your cellphone to take a video or photos of any problems outside the polling place. This will document the problems for further action.

3 tips to follow before going to vote

Be prepared before going to vote:

  1. Check the status of your registration. Make sure you sent your voter registration in by mail or delivered it in person by October 9.
  2. Check to make sure you know your correct polling place. Your ballot might not be counted if you vote at the wrong place, so be sure you know exactly where to vote.
  3. Check you have the right ID. Make sure you have the right ID when you go to your polling place.
    • The best way to make sure you can vote on Election Day is to bring your ID with you when you vote.

Download printable version: MI Voter Protection

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VOTING ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018

Where do I vote on Election Day, November 6?
You must vote at your assigned polling place on November 6. Your assigned polling place is written on your voter registration card and on your sample ballot. You also can look up your voting site here or call your county clerk’s office.

What hours are the polls open?
The polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you’re in line at 8 p.m., you will be able to vote.

Do I have to show ID?
When you go to the polls on Election Day, you will be asked to show an ID with a photo.

The list of acceptable ID documents includes:

  • Michigan driver’s license or Michigan personal identification card;
  • Driver’s license or personal identification card issued by another state;
  • Federal or state government-issued photo identification;
  • United States passport; Military identification with photo;
  • Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education;
  • Tribal identification with photo

If you don't have acceptable photo ID with a photo, you can vote by signing an affidavit. The affidavit can be used by:

  1. voters who don't have acceptable photo ID or
  2. voters who have photo ID - but didn't bring it to the polls.

What if I find out I’m at the wrong polling place?
You can ask the poll worker to help you find the polling place where you’re registered. You can also call your county clerk’s office.

If you can’t travel to or find the polling place where you’re registered, you can vote a provisional ballot as a last resort.

You must present identification to your local clerk within six days of the election. They will determine if your ballot can be counted.

What if my name isn’t on the list at the polling place?
You can ask the poll worker to double-check the list again to see if you’re at the right polling place. Spell your name for the poll worker. The poll worker can call the township clerk’s office to make sure you’re registered and in the correct precinct by looking at the statewide database.

If you find out you’re at the wrong polling place and you can’t travel to or find the polling place where you’re registered, you can vote a provisional ballot as a last resort.

Download printable version: MI Voting on Nov 6

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