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

Absentee Voting

FAQs: Absentee Voting

WHAT IS AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

A way of voting if you are not voting in person at your polling place 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?

Your request for an absentee ballot must be submitted in writing to your City of Township Clerk by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election. Following that date/time, emergency applications will be available directly from the Clerk’s office until 4:00 p.m. on Election Day for occurrences which made it impossible for the voter to apply for an absentee ballot earlier. To download an absentee ballot application, click here.  An on-line application option is available until about 2 weeks before an election.  Click here for the on-line option.

A voter may choose to be part of a Permanent Absentee Voter list maintained by the City or Township Clerk.  In this case, the Clerk will send an Absentee Voter Ballot Application automatically to the Voter.  A completed and signed application MUST be mailed or delivered to the Clerk for EACH election.

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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