You have the right to vote. If anyone tries to stop you, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683. We also wrote a handy guide that outlines your voting rights.
Michigan Election Center
Check your registration→
Not sure if you're registered to vote? We'll help you check and register if you can.
Register to vote→
It takes less than 2 minutes to register.
Get your absentee ballot→
Can't vote in person on Election Day? Request an absentee ballot.
Get election reminders→
We'll remind you when and what you need to vote, so that you never miss an election again.
Pledge to register→
Too young to vote? Pledge to register and we'll text you a reminder on your 18th birthday.
Polling place locator→
Need to find your polling place? View the list of state polling place websites.
Last updated on January 31, 2020 - as always, it's best to double check with your state for any recent changes to election rules in your state: Michigan Election Website
Michigan voter registration
- In Person: Election Day. If you plan to register in person within 14 days of Election Day, you will need to present proof of residency (a document with your name and current address in the city or township where you wish to register to vote).
- By Mail: Postmarked 14 days before Election Day.
- Online: 14 days before Election Day.
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote and a cast a ballot at the same time during early voting or on Election Day. To register under these rules, Contact your Local Election Office with any questions.
- To register in Michigan you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be 18 years old by the next election
- be a resident of Michigan and at least a 30 day resident of your city or township by Election Day
- not be confined in a jail after being convicted and sentenced
- Use our Register to Vote Tool to fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Sign and date your form. This is very important!
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed form to the address we provide.
- Make sure you register before the voter registration deadline.
- If you have been convicted of a felony and have questions about whether you can register to vote, visit Restore Your Vote to determine your eligibility.
Michigan absentee ballots
- In Person: 1 day before Election Day.
- By Mail: 4 days before Election Day.
- Online:
- Election Day.
- Any registered Michigan voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
- Use our Absentee Ballot Tool to prepare your application.
- Sign and date the form. This is very important!
- Return your completed application to your Local Election Office as soon as possible. We'll provide the mailing address for you.
- All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. If it's close to the deadline, call and see if your Local Election Office will let you fax or email the application.
- Make sure your application is received by the deadline. Your application must actually arrive by this time -- simply being postmarked by the deadline is insufficient.
- Please contact your Local Election Office if you have any further questions about the exact process.
- Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions.
- Sign and date where indicated.
- Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.
- Your voted ballot must arrive by the deadline or it will not be counted.
Michigan early voting
- 45 days before Election Day.
- 1 day before Election Day.
Michigan voter ID
If you are voting in person in Michigan, you will be asked to present one of the following forms of photo ID at the time you vote:
A photo ID with your name and picture (regardless of the address or if it has an address):
- driver’s license or personal ID card from any state
- high school or college ID
- passport
- military or government issued photo ID
- tribal ID card
A non-photo ID with your name and address on it:
- current utility bill
- bank statement
- paycheck stub
- government check
- any other government document
If you don't have one of these forms of ID, you may sign a sworn statement to that effect.
Additionally, if you are a first time Michigan voter and registered to vote by mail, you may be required to show your Michigan ID, utility bill, or government document that shows your name and current address.
If you apply for your absentee ballot by mail, you do not have to provide ID with your absentee ballot.
If you apply in-person for your absentee ballot, you must provide one of the following forms of photo ID:
- Michigan drivers license
- Michigan personal ID card
- Drivers license or personal ID card issued by another state
- Federal or state government-issued photo ID
- US passport
- Military photo ID
- Student photo ID from a high school or accredited institution of higher education
- Tribal photo ID
- Another generally recognized picture ID card
If you don't have a picture ID card, you may sign a sworn statement to that effect.
Offsite links
- State Election Website
- Local Election Office: This is the government office responsible for running elections in your region. Theses are the best people to contact if you have any questions at all about voting in your state.
- Find your polling place
- Learn more about absentee voting
- Learn more about voter ID