How to vote in Michigan
On this page
- Voter registration deadline (online): 15 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (by mail): Postmarked by 15 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (in person): Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (online): 4 days before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (by mail): Received by 4 days before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (in person): Received by Election Day
Michigan voter registration guide
- Register to vote (online): 15 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by 15 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): Election Day
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Michigan registration using the Michigan voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
To register in Michigan you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be 18 years old by Election Day
- be a resident of Michigan and be a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days before Election Day
- not be currently incarcerated after being convicted and sentenced
Warning: Michigan law requires that the same address be used for voter registration and driver's license purposes. Therefore, if the residence address you provide on this form differs from the address shown on a driver's license or personal identification card issued by the State of Michigan, the Secretary of State will automatically change your driver's license or personal identification card address to match the residence address entered on this form. If an address change is made, the Secretary of State will mail you an address update sticker for your driver's license or personal identification card.
You can register to vote online if you have a Michigan driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card.
- Visit the Michigan online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 15 days before Election Day.
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Enter your Michigan driver's license number or the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you don't have any of these numbers, enter "NONE" in this space.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: Not required.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be postmarked by 15 days before Election Day.
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
Bring your Michigan driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
- Summary: Michigan has same day registration. You can register and vote during the early voting period and on Election Day.
- Where to go:
Go to your Local Election Office. Click here to look up the address.
- What to bring:
Bring your Michigan driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
- Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Voting rights are immediately restored when you are released from prison. You can register to vote on probation or parole.
- You cannot vote while incarcerated.
- You can vote while on parole.
- You can vote while on probation.
- You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
- No financial obligations.
- Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.
Michigan absentee and mail ballot guide
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
- Earliest day to apply: Anytime
- Request deadline (online): 4 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 4 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Any registered Michigan voter can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
- Visit the Michigan absentee ballot website.
- Fill out all of the required information.
- Hit save or submit when you are done.
- The deadline to apply online is 4 days before Election Day.
- Download the Michigan absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 4 days before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is 1 day before Election Day.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
- Online application: You must provide the last 4 digits of your social security number AND either your Michigan driver's license number or Michigan state ID number.
- Paper application: The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration record to ensure they match.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
Track your ballot here: Michigan absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it or if your signature does not match the one on file for you.
- You must make corrections by 8:00 pm on Election Day for your vote to count.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
You may request an emergency absentee ballot if you become physically disabled or will be absent from your city of residence due to illness or death in the family.
Dates & Deadlines
- Emergency ballot request ends 4PM Election Day
- Emergency ballot return deadline is received at the clerk's office by Election Day
Contact your local election office
Michigan early voting guide
- Early voting starts: 9 days before Election Day
- Early voting ends: 1 day before Election Day
You must show a photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, a tribal ID, or a student ID as long as it was issued by an accredited Michigan high school, college, or university. Your ID does not need to show your current address. Your ID can be expired if you are using a Michigan driver's license or personal ID card issued by the State of Michigan. If you are unable to provide an acceptable form of ID, you will still be able to vote by signing a voter affidavit.
Michigan voter ID guide
You must show a photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, a tribal ID, or a student ID as long as it was issued by an accredited Michigan high school, college, or university. Your ID does not need to show your current address. Your ID can be expired if you are using a Michigan driver's license or personal ID card issued by the State of Michigan. If you are unable to provide an acceptable form of ID, you will still be able to vote by signing a voter affidavit.
- Online application: You must provide the last 4 digits of your social security number AND either your Michigan driver's license number or Michigan state ID number.
- Paper application: The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration record to ensure they match.
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
You can register to vote online if you have a Michigan driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card.
Bring your Michigan driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Michigan elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
Michigan Department of State Bureau of Elections P.O. Box 20126 Lansing, MI 48901‐0726