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Absentee Voting

FAQs: Absentee Voting

WHAT IS AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

An absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone unable to vote at the polls on election day.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

Any registered voter can obtain an absentee ballot, regardless of the reason.

HOW DO I OBTAIN AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

  • Voters can contact their city or township clerk and ask that an application be mailed to them. The voter must submit the application to the city or township clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. the Friday before election day.
  • Download an application from the Michigan Department of State (link: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/VoteAtHome/#online) to return by mail or in person to your local clerk or township. When submitting the absentee ballot application, voters have the option to sign up to join the Permanent Mail Ballot list. Voters whose names are on the Permanent Mail Ballot List will automatically receive an absentee ballot from their local clerk for all upcoming elections in which they are eligible to vote.
  • Voters who wish to have their name removed from the permanent mail ballot list should send a signed letter to their local clerk.
  • Voters who are on the permanent mail ballot list can still vote in person. They may place their absentee ballot in the tabulator or, after surrendering their absentee ballot to the electionworker, they will be issued a new ballot and allowed to vote at the early voting site or polling place.

CAN A UNIVERSITY STUDENT WHO IS A FIRST TIME VOTER GET AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

Yes.  A student who lives away from his  permanent address, can obtain an absentee ballot by first mailing or delivering a completed, signed application to the student’s City or Township Clerk.  To download an absentee ballot application, click here.  An absentee ballot will then be sent to the student, who must properly fill it out, sign the envelope and mail or deliver it to the City or Township Clerk.  An on-line application option is available until about 2 weeks before an election.  Click here for the on-line option.

A voter can only vote in elections in the community of his permanent address- that which is on his/her driver’s license or state-issued ID.

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