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Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy    JOINDONATETAKE ACTION
LWV of Michigan Logo
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy    JOINDONATETAKE ACTION

Voter Registration

FAQs: Voter Registration

HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?

You can register to vote:

  • In person at any Secretary of State branch office or your city, township or county clerks’ office. Enter your address in the Michigan Voter Information Center to find your city or township clerk or county clerk.
  • By mail by filling out a mail-in voter registration application and mailing it to your local city or township clerk. You can also get mail-in voter registration forms from any county, city, or township clerk’s office, and most libraries.
  • When applying for services at state agencies that provide public assistance (such as Medicaid, WIC and food stamps) or services to people with disabilities.
  • Through a voter registration drive, by filling out a voter registration application and giving it to a private organization to turn in for you.

DO I NEED IDENTIFICATION TO REGISTER TO VOTE?

  • Maybe. You do not need to provide documentation if you register to vote by mail, however you should write your driver’s license or personal ID number, or the last four digits of your social security number, on your voter registration application where indicated.
  • You do not need to show identification if you register to vote in person on or before the 15th day before an election. If you register to vote in person during this period, you will be asked for photo identification. If you don’t have identification or don’t have it with you, you can sign a simple form stating that.
  • Beginning on the 14th day before an election through 8 p.m. on Election Day, in order to register to vote you must appear in person at the clerk’s office and provide proof that you reside in the city or township where you wish to register.  To satisfy this requirement, you could provide a Michigan driver’s license or personal ID card or any of the following, if it is current and has your name and address on it:  a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document.

HOW LONG BEFORE THE ELECTION MUST I REGISTER?

  • You can register in person at your city or township clerk’s office (or satellite office) until 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can find your city or township clerk by entering your address in the Michigan Voter Information Center.
  • You can register in person at any Secretary of State branch office, your county clerk’s office, or the offices of a state agency that provides public assistance or services to people with disabilities through the 15th day before an election.
  • You can register by mail if your application is postmarked by the 15th day before an election.
  • You can complete a voter registration form through a voter registration drive. The organization conducting the registration drive typically submits the form for you.

HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO REGISTER AND WHAT IF I’VE MOVED?

  • You should update your registration whenever you move. This will automatically be done for you if you change your driver’s license or state ID through the Michigan Secretary of State.
  • If you moved within a city or township but did not update your voter registration, you can vote at your old precinct one last time.
  • If you moved to a different city or township within 60 days of the election and did not update your voter registration, you can vote at your old precinct one last time.
  • If you moved to a different city or township more than 60 days before the election and did not update your voter registration, you can register to vote in your new community up until 8 p.m. on Election Day. You’ll need to appear in person at the clerk’s office and provide proof that you reside in the city or township where you wish to register.

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