Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to vote in Michigan?
Voter Registration
How do I register to vote?
How long before the election must I register?
If I send in my registration form, are there any special requirements?
How often do I have to register?
Voting at the Polls
What is a precinct?
How do I know where to vote?
What should I take with me to vote?
How long does it take to vote?
Absentee
Voting
What is an absentee ballot?
Who is eligible for an absentee ballot?
How do I obtain an absentee ballot?
How does a university student who is a first time voter get an
absentee ballot to vote in a city other than his/her permanent
Write-In Candidates
How can I vote for someone whose name is not on the ballot (a "write-in" candidate)?
What if a candidate dies before the election?
How can I become a write-in candidate?
Voting for Polical Parties
What is meant by a "straight party ticket"? a "split ticket"? a "mixed ticket"?
Where can I get additional information about voting in Michigan?
Who is eligible to vote in Michigan?
In order to vote in Michigan you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old by election day, a resident of the city or township in where you register and not serving a sentence in jail or prison.
You must register to vote at least 30 days before an election. After that, you can vote in future elections without re-registering, unless you move or change your name. See more below.
You can register by going to your county,city or township clerk's office or you can go to your local Secretary of State office.
Other ways to register to vote require you to vote in person the first time you vote (no absentee ballots for you). See below for more information.
You can register at the same time you apply for or renew your driver's license. Eligible drivers should receive voter registration applications in the mail with their driver's license renewal information.
If you have never registered to vote in Michigan and want to mail in your registration application, you will need to provide identification information along with your application. You must either enter your driver's license number or personal ID card number on the form OR send a copy of one of these forms of ID with your application: PHOTOCOPY of your driver's license or personal ID care or a photocopy of a paycheck stub, utility bill, bank document or government document that lists both your name and your address.
For more information, visit http://www.michigan.gov/sos. To confirm your registration and find out where your precinct is, visit http://lwv.publius.org or https://services2.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/.
How long before the election must I register?
You must register at least 30 days prior to an election.
If I send in my registration form, are there any special requirements?
If you have never voted in Michigan and submit the form by mail or through a third party (give the form to someone to turn in for you, including at voter registration drives), you must appear in person to vote in the first election in which you want to vote. There are several exceptions:
- You are 60 years of age or more
- You are disabled
- You are eligible to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
If you personally hand-deliver the form to your county, city or township clerk's office instead of mailing the form, that is considered registering in person.
How often do I have to register?
Unless you move or change your name, you need to register only once.
The place where you vote. It is also called a polling place. Your local clerk's office can tell you where your precinct is located.
Check with your county, city or township clerk's office to find out where your voting place is.
You can also find your precinct is by visiting:
http://lwv.publius.org OR
https://services2.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/
What should I take with me to vote?
You will be asked to present an acceptable photo ID in every election. The following types of ID are acceptable:
- Michigan driver's license or state-issued ID card
- Driver's license or personal ID card issued by another state
- Federal or state government-issued photo ID
- U.S. passport
- Military ID with photo
- Student ID with photo from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning
- Tribal ID card with photo
If you do not have photo ID or did not bring it with you to the polls, you may still vote. Simply sign an affidavit (a written declaration under oath) stating that you your name, address, and that you are not in possession of photo identification (looks like this). Your ballot is included with all others and is counted.
How long does it take to vote?
It depends on how many offices are up for election and how many ballot proposals are on the ballot – and how many people are in line ahead of you. You can plan ahead by informing yourself on ballot proposals and candidates. Or you can vote absentee if you meet the eligibility requirements – and plan ahead to get your ballot.
A way of voting if you are unable to get to your polling place on election day and you fit into the criteria below.
Who is eligible for an absentee ballot?
You must fit one or more of the following criteria in order to be eligible:
- 60 years or older
- Unable to vote without assistance
- Will be out of town during the election
- In jail waiting arragnment or trial
- Unable to go to the polls due to religion
- Plan to work as an election inspector in a precinct other than yours
Your request for an absentee ballot must be submitted in writing to your clerk by 2 p.m. on the Saturday before the election. Your request must include one of the above reasons and your signature.
To download an absentee ballot request, go to http://www.michigan.gov/documents/AbsentVoterBallot_105377_7.pdf
How does a university student who is a first time voter get an absentee ballot to vote in a city other than his or her permanent address?
The individual must appear with picture ID at the county clerk's office. The clerk will issue a paper indicating that the individual is whom he says he is. This paper is mailed with a request for an absentee ballot to her city or township clerk. Absentee ballot request form is available through the Michigan Secretary of State online, www.michigan.gov/sos. This should be done soon. The city or township clerk then sends an absentee ballot.
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. See one exception below.
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.
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 (for the November 4 general election, that would be Friday, October 24).
What is meant by a "straight party ticket"? a "split ticket"? a "mixed ticket"?
These terms apply only to the partisan part of your ballot:
Voters may quickly vote a Straight Ticket for all candidates of one political party. Vote for all by marking your ballot for one party.
OR a Split Ticket by overriding their Straight Ticket choice for any office. Each candidate under the party selected will receive a vote except where superceded 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.
OR a 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.
Where can I get additional information about voting in Michigan?
The Michigan Secretary of State website: http://www.michigan.gov/sos/
Email additional questions to: voterpower@lwvmi.org
