This site is privately owned and is not affiliated with any government agency. Learn more here.

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Register to Vote FAQ Sheets

Absentee Ballot FAQ Sheet
Voter Registration FAQ Sheet

Table of Contents

What Is an Absentee Ballot?
Who Can Use an Absentee Ballot?
How to Request an Absentee Ballot
How to Check the Status of Your Absentee Ballot
Where Do You Send Your Absentee Ballot?
When Is the Deadline Date to Send in My Absentee Application and Ballot for Upcoming Elections?
Where Can I Find Information About Candidates Who Are Running?
What Are the Government Office Positions That We Vote for During Elections?
Need More Help?
View or Download Our Free Guide

What Is an Absentee Ballot?

If a voter is unable to visit an official polling station in person, they may be able to cast an absentee ballot. This allows them to submit a vote by mail.

While every state is required to offer mail-in absentee voting, each state has different election rules and may only allow the vote-by-mail option for certain people under certain circumstances. However, any registered Michigan voter can apply for an absentee ballot or vote by mail.

*States do not send absentee ballots automatically, so voters must request one.

Learn more about Absentee and Early Voting on the national voter website here. Or, find absentee voter information for Michigan residents here.

Who Can Use an Absentee Ballot?

In Michigan, you can use an absentee ballot or vote-by-mail option if you are:

Registered to vote in Michigan and currently residing in the state.
Registered to vote in Michigan and stationed outside of the state as a military member or family of a military member.
Registered to vote in Michigan and a qualified U.S. citizen living overseas.

Learn more about eligibility requirements for absentee voting in Michigan here.

You have the right to vote if you meet the eligibility requirements. Call the Election Protection Hotline at (866) 687-8683 immediately if anyone tries to stop you from voting, such as:

Presenting false information about voting requirements.
Harassment (including harassing questions about your qualifications).
Intimidation or bullying.
People impersonating poll workers or election officials.

Learn more about election protection on the Vote.org guide here.

How to Request an Absentee Ballot

You can request an absentee ballot by:

Visiting your local County Clerk’s Office. Find your nearest office and contact information here.
Filling out the Michigan Absentee Ballot Application Form here and mailing the completed form to your local county clerk office. Find your nearest Michigan county clerk office and contact information here.

You can also request a voter registration card if you are not registered to vote by using one of the two methods described above and filling out the Michigan Voter Registration Form here.

If you have never registered to vote in Michigan, you will need to submit a copy of the following documents along with your Michigan Absentee Ballot Application:

Current and valid photo identification
A current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or another government document with your name and address

Military members, their family and overseas U.S. citizens can register to vote and request an absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Military and overseas voters can also complete the FPCA online here.

For additional help, overseas military personnel and their families can use the third-party organization U.S. Vote Foundation’s website here. The nonpartisan organization’s website lets you register to vote and request an absentee ballot here. For election dates and deadlines in Michigan, click here.

Other third-party registration websites are also available to help you register to vote online or request an absentee ballot:

Request an absentee ballot from Vote.org here or register to vote here.
Register to vote on the Rock the Vote website here.
Request an absentee ballot from the U.S. Vote Foundation here or register to vote here.
Register to vote on the When We All Vote website here.

How to Check the Status of Your Absentee Ballot

You can check your voter status by inputting your personal information into the Michigan Voter Information Search tool here.

You can also contact your local County Clerk’s Office to check your voter status. Find your nearest office and contact information below and here.

Where Do You Send Your Absentee Ballot?

Absentee voters will receive a pre-addressed envelope and an affidavit along with the ballot. An affidavit is an oath that the written statement is true. You must sign the affidavit and put your ballot in the provided envelope.

The envelope you receive with the affidavit and the ballot will have the address already printed on it. Once you fill out your ballot and sign the affidavit, all you have to do is seal the documents in the pre-addressed envelope and mail the envelope.

If you have questions about mailing your absentee ballot, contact your local County Clerk’s Office. Find your nearest local County Clerk office and contact information here, or in the section above.

When Is the Deadline Date to Send in My Absentee Application and Ballot for Upcoming Elections?

To vote by mail, you must first request an absentee ballot by mail, in person, or online. Your local County Clerk’s office must receive your application for an absentee ballot at least 15 days before the election day.

So, if you are sending an absentee ballot application by mail, be sure to mail your application with enough time so your County Clerk office will receive your application at least 15 days before the election. You can find the Michigan absentee ballot application forms to download and print here.

If you apply for an absentee ballot online, your application request will typically process immediately but may take a few days to process. Be sure you apply for an absentee ballot online at least 15 days before the election, and account for the time it may take for your application to process. You can apply for an absentee ballot in for Michigan elections here.

Your local County Clerk’s office must receive your absentee ballot by 8:00 pm on election day. Once you receive your absentee ballot, you must complete the ballot, sign the affidavit, and mail in your pre-addressed envelope before election day. Be sure to consider the delivery time when mailing your ballot in advance of election day, so it will arrive at the County Clerk office by 8:00 pm on the day of the election.

To view the Michigan election schedules and find the exact date and time that will be the deadline for you to send in your absentee ballot or for your local Michigan election office to receive your absentee ballot, use one of these resources:

The Federal Voting Assistance Program here.
Vote.org here.
RocktheVote.org here.

Where Can I Find Information About Candidates Who Are Running?

To learn about the primary candidates who will be running for local, state and federal offices in Michigan in upcoming elections, check the Michigan State website here.

From the third-party organization Ballotpedia.org, you can also find information on candidates who will run in the upcoming Michigan elections, including the:

President of the United States here
U.S. Senate here
U.S. House Representatives here
State Senate here
State House Representatives here
State Supreme Court members here
State Court of Appeals here

What Are the Government Office Positions That We Vote for During Elections?

Elections in Michigan are held to elect people into Federal, State, and Local offices.

Federal offices include the following:

The President of the United States serves a four-year term, and the general election is held on the first Tuesday of November of election years. This elected official is the head of state and government and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
U.S. Senators serve six-year terms, and the elections for the two seats are in November of staggering years. These elected officials are a part of Congress, approve or reject treaties and confirm presidential appointments. The laws they work with affect the entire country.
U.S. Representatives serve two-year terms, and general elections are held in November. These elected officials are also a part of Congress, approve or reject trade agreements and the confirmation of the Vice President.

State offices include the following:

The State Governor serves a four-year term and has elections in even years that are not presidential election years in November. This person is the state’s highest-ranking official and signs bills into law or can veto legislation.
State executive offices are typically four-year terms, and include:

- Lieutenant Governor – Second to the Governor
- Secretary of State – Responsible for running the state’s elections, business licensing, and publication of official documentation
- Attorney General – Oversees charges and cases against individuals on behalf of the state government
- Treasurer – Maintains state funds and acts as the state bank
- Controller – Pays the state’s bills and is responsible for the state’s accounting and financial reports
- Superintendence of Public Instruction – Runs the state’s public school system (two-year term)
- Insurance Director – Enforces regulations regarding businesses
- Public Utilities Commission – Supervises electric, gas, water and telecommunications utilities for the state (six-year term)
State Senators serve two-year terms and have general elections on even years in November. These elected officials pass state laws that affect only residents of the state.
State Representatives serve two-year terms and have elections on even years in November. These officials handle legislation on a district level. They are often called congressmen and congresswomen.
State Supreme Court members serve six-year terms and have elections on even years in November. These officials are judges and make up the highest state judiciary court, which makes their ruling laws.
State Court of Appeals justices serve six-year terms and have elections in November. However, the chief judge only serves for two years. These nonpartisan (not affiliated with a political party) judges sit on the Michigan Court of Appeals and handle challenges and appeals to district court decisions.
District Court judges serve four-year terms and have elections in November. These nonpartisan judges make rulings on local trials, such as small claims, divorces, criminal proceedings and civil cases.

Local offices include the following:

- Mayors serve four-year terms and oversee city government.
- City council members serve four-year terms and help pass local laws.
- Commissioners serve four-year terms, and govern a county and administer local taxes, property registration, building code enforcement, and public work services.
- District court clerks serve four-year terms and provide assistance to district judges.
- Treasurers serve four-year terms and maintain county funds.
- Assessors serve four-year terms and oversee local tax laws and collections.
- Coroners serve four-year terms and investigate local deaths to determine the cause.
- Highway district commissioners serve four-year terms and supervise the highways and roadways within their jurisdiction.
- Prosecutors serve four-year terms, and charges and cases against individuals on behalf of the local government.
- Sheriffs serve four-year terms, and these officials are responsible for enforcing the law in the county.

School board members serve six-year terms, and elections vary by county. Members of the group are responsible for making decisions related to local schools, such as spending priorities, curriculum approval, and setting the academic calendar.

Need More Help?

If you have further questions about absentee ballots or the voter registration process, contact your local County Clerk’s Office. Find your nearest office and contact information here.

You can also contact the Michigan Bureau of Elections by phone at (517) 335-3234 or (888) 767-6424 or by email at elections@mighigan.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the voting registration process and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the resources that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Voter Registration Guide is filled with helpful information about how to register to vote, eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.

Table of Contents

What Is a Voter Registration?
Who Can Register to Vote?
How to Register to Vote in Michigan
Third-Party Voting Registration Organizations
How to Update Your Voter Registration
About the Voter Registration Card
How to Check the Status of Your Voter Registration
Type of Elections
When Are the Upcoming Election Dates and Registration Deadlines?
Where Can I Vote?
How Do I Cast My Vote?
How Do I Vote If I Recently Moved?
Where Can I Find Information About Candidates Who Are Running for Office?
What Are the Government Office Positions That We Vote for During Elections?
Need More Help?
View or Download Our Free Guide

What Is a Voter Registration?

U.S. citizens must register to vote if they wish to participate in local, state, and federal elections. The purpose of the registration is for states to be able to verify their residents’ eligibility to vote because certain circumstances can disqualify a citizens’ right to vote in the U.S.

To register to vote, you must fill out a voting registration application and provide documents that prove you are qualified. You can do this online through your state office of elections, through third party companies that provide voting registration services, or in person at your local county elections office.

After successfully registering to vote, your state will mail you a voter registration card.

Learn more about Voter Registration on the USA.gov Voter Registration webpage here. Or, find further information on the Michigan Voter Registration Form here.

Who Can Register to Vote?

To register to vote in Michigan, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen.
Be 18 years of age on or before Election Day.
Live in Michigan and in the county for 30 days prior to the election.
Not have a disqualifying felony conviction. Your voting rights are restored once you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole.
Not have been deemed “mentally incompetent” by a court of law.
Present valid photo identification at the voting site.

You have the right to vote if you meet the eligibility requirements. Call the Election Protection Hotline at (866) 687-8683 immediately if anyone tries to stop you from voting, such as:

Presenting false information about voting requirements.
Harassment (including harassing questions about your qualifications).
Intimidation or bullying.
People impersonating poll workers or election officials.

Learn more about election protection on Vote.org’s guide here.

Find out more about the eligibility requirements for voter registration in Michigan here.

How to Register to Vote in Michigan

To register to vote in Michigan, complete the following three steps:

Gather the information and documents you will need for the application.

Learn what documents you will need here.

Choose how you are going to register, whether online, by mail or in person.

To register to vote online, click here to use the Michigan Electronic Voter Registration Application. You can only use this system if you have a Michigan driver’s license or ID card.

To register to vote by mail, click here to access the Michigan Voter Registration Form. Mail the completed form to your local County Clerk’s Office. Find your nearest office and contact information here.

To register to vote in person, visit your local County Clerk’s Office. Find your nearest office and contact information at the bottom of this section. Or, view the County Clerk list here.

Submit your voter registration form before the deadline.

If registering online or by mail,you must register to vote at least 15 days before the election day.

If registering in person, you can register to vote on the election day at your local County Clerk’s Office or on the election day at a polling location. Find your local polling location here.

If you have questions on the voter registration process, contact your local County Clerk’s Office. Find your nearest office and contact information below and here.

Alcona 2145 E. Huron East Tawas, MI 48730 (989) 362-0300	Alger 101 Court St. Munising, MI 49862 (906) 387-4440	Allegan 3255 122nd Ste 300 Allegan, MI 49010 (269) 673-7700
Alpena 711 W. Chisholm Alpena, MI 49707 (989) 354-7200	Antrim 205 E. Cayuga St. Bellaire, MI 49615 (231) 533-8664	Arenac 3709 Deep River Road Standish, MI 48658 (989) 846-5500
Baraga 108 Main Street Baraga, MI 49908 (906) 353-4700	Barry 430 Barfield Drive Hastings, MI 49058 (269) 948-3200	Bay 1399 W. Center Road Essexville, MI 48732 (989) 895-2100
Benzie 448 Court Plaza Government Center Beulah, MI 49617 (231) 882-1330	Berrien 401 Eighth Street Benton Harbor, MI 49022 (269) 934-2000	Branch 388 Keith Wilhelm Drive Coldwater, MI 49036 (517) 279-4200
Calhoun 190 E. Michigan Avenue Battle Creek, MI 49016 (269) 966-1284	Cass 325 M-62 Cassopolis, MI 49031 (269) 445-0200	Charlevoix 2229 Summit Park Drive Petoskey, MI 49770 (231) 348-1600
Cheybogan 827 S. Huron Street Cheybogan, MI 49721 (231) 627-8500	Chippewa 463 East 3 Mile Road Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635-4100	Clare 725 Richard Drive Harrison, MI 48625 (989) 539-4260
Clinton 201 W. Railroad St. Johns, MI 48879 (989) 224-5500	Crawford 230 Huron Grayling, MI 49738 (989) 348-7691	Delta 2940 College Avenue Escanaba, MI 49829 (906) 786-5394
Dickinson 1401 Carpenter Ave, Suite A Iron Mountain, MI 49801 (906) 779-4100	Eaton 1050 Independence Blvd. Charlotte, MI 48813 (517) 543-0860	Emmet 2229 Summit Park Drive Petoskey, MI 49770 (231) 348-1600
Genessee – McCree District 630 S. Saginaw Street Flint, MI 48501 (810) 760-7300	Genesee – Children’s Service Administration 125 E. Union Street Flint, MI 48501 (810) 760-2888	Genesee – North District 125 E. Union Street Flint, MI 48501 (810) 760-2773
Genesee – Pierson Road District 4100 W. Pierson Road Flint, MI 48504 (810) 787-7101	Gladwin 250 N. State Street Gladwin, MI 48624 (989) 426-3300	Gogebic 301 E. Lead Street Bessemer, MI 49911 (906) 663-6200
Grand Traverse 701 S. Elmwood, Suite 19 Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 941-3900	Gratiot 201 Commerce Drive Ithaca, MI 48847 (989) 875-5181	Hillsdale 40 Care Drive Hillsdale, MI 49242 (517) 439-2200
Houghton 200 Quincy Street Hancock, MI 49930 (906) 482-0500	Huron 1911 Sand Beach Road Bad Axe, MI 48413 (989) 269-9201	Ingham 5303 S. Cedar Street Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 887-9400
Ionia 920 E. Lincoln Ionia, MI 48846 (616) 527-5200	Iosco 2145 E. Huron Road East Tawas, MI 48730 (989) 362-0300	Iron 337 Brady Avenue Caspian, MI 49915 (906) 265-9958
Isabella 1919 Parkland Drive Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 989-772-8400	Jackson 301 E. Louis Glick Hwy. Jackson, MI 49201 517-780-7400	Kalamazoo 322 E. Stockbridge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49001 269-337-4900
Kalkaska 503 North Birch Street Kalkaska, MI 49646 (231) 258-1200	Kent 121 Franklin, S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49507 (616) 248-1000	Keweenaw 3616 Highway US-41 Mohawk, MI 49950 (906) 337-3302
Lake 5653 S. M-37 Baldwin, MI 49304 (231) 745-8159	Lapeer 1505 Suncrest Drive Lapeer, MI 48846 (810) 667-0800	Leelanau 701 S. Elmwood, Suite 19 Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 941-3900
Lenawee 1040 S. Winter Street, Suite 3013 Adrian, MI 49221 (517) 264-6300	Livingston 2300 E. Grand River, Suite 1 Howell, MI 48843 (517) 548-0200	Luce 500 W. McMillan Newberry, MI 49868 (906) 293-5144
Mackinac 199 Ferry Lane Saint Ignace, MI 49781 (906) 643-9550	Macomb – Children Services Administration 19700 Hall Road, Suite A Clinton Township, MI 48038 (586) 412-6100	Macomb – Mt. Clemens District 21885 Dunham Road, Suite 7 Clinton Township, MI 48036 (586) 469-7700
Macomb – Warren District 27690 Van Dyke Avenue Warren, MI 48093 (586) 427-0600	Macomb – Sterling Heights 41227 Mound Road Sterling Heights, MI 48314 (586) 254-1500	Manistee 1672 US 31 South Manistee, MI 49660 (231) 723-8375
Marquette Courthouse Annex 234 W. Baraga Avenue Marquette, MI 49855 (906) 228-9691	Mason 915 Diana Street Ludington, MI 49431 (231) 845-7391	Mecosta 800 Water Tower Road Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 796-4300
Menominee 2612 10th Street Menominee, MI 49858 (906) 863-9965	Midland 1509 Washington, Suite A Midland, MI 48641 (989) 835-7040	Missaukee 10641 W. Watergate Road Cadillac, MI 49601 (231) 779-4500
Monroe 903 S. Telegraph, Suite A Monroe, MI 48161 (734) 243-7200	Montcalm 609 N. State Street Stanton, MI 48888 (989) 831-8400	Montmorency 11636 M-32, West Atlanta, MI 49709 (989) 785-4218
Muskegon 2700 Baker Street Muskegon, MI 49444 (231) 733-3700	Newaygo 1018 Newell White Cloud, MI 49349 (231) 689-5500	Oakland Oakland Towne Center 28 N. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Pontiac, MI 48342 (248) 975-4800
Oakland – Children’s Service Administration 51111 Woodward Avenue Pontiac, MI 48342 (248) 975-5400	Oakland – Madison Heights 30755 Montpelier Madison Heights, MI 48071 (248) 583-8700	Oakland – Walled Lake District 195 Ladd Road Walled Lake, MI 48390 (248) 669-7600
Oakland – Saginaw Street District 235 N. Saginaw Pontiac, MI 48342 (248) 975-5200	Oceana 4081 W. Polk Road Hart, MI 49420 (231) 873-7251	Ogemaw 444 E.Houghton Avenue West Branch, MI 48661 (989) 345-5135
Ontonagon 730 South 7th Street Ontonagon, MI 49953 (906) 884-4951	Osceola 800 Water Tower Road Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 796-4300	Oscoda 200 W. Fifth Street Mio, MI 48647 (989) 826-4000
Otsego 1999 Walden Drive Gaylord, MI 49735 (989) 732-1702	Ottawa 12185 James Street, Suite 200 Holland, MI 49424 (616) 394-7200	Presque Isle 1242 W. Third Street Rogers City, MI 49779 (989) 734-2108
Roscommon 111 Union Street Roscommon, MI 48653 (989) 275-5107	Saginaw 411 E. Genesee Saginaw, MI 48605 (989) 758-1100	St. Clair 220 Fort Street Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 966-2000
St. Joseph 692 E. Main St Centreville, MI 49032 (810) 966-2000	Sanilac 515 S. Sandusky Rd Sandusky, MI 48471 (810) 648-4420	Schoolcraft 300 Walnut St Courthouse, Room 175A Manistique, MI 49854 (906) 341-2114
Shiawassee 1975 W. Main, Suite 1 Owosso, MI 48867 (989) 725-3200	Tuscola 1365 Cleaver Road Caro, MI 48723 (989) 673-9100	VanBuren 57150 C.R. 681 Hartford, MI 49057 (269) 621-2800
Washtenaw 22 Center Street Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (734) 481-2000	Wayne Cadillac Place, 3040 W. Grand Blvd., Suite 5-650 Detroit, MI 48202 (313) 456-1000	Wayne – Greydale/Grand River District 17330 Greydale Detroit, MI 48219 (313) 387-7100
Wayne – Greenfield/Joy District 8655 Greenfield Detroit, MI 48228 (313) 943-5200	Wayne – Taylor District 22050 Pennsylvania Taylor, MI 48180 (734) 281-8204	Wayne – Inkster District 2700 Hamlin Inkster, MI 48141 (313) 277-4800
Wayne – Central Operations – Children’s Service Administration District 2929 Russell Detroit, MI 48207 (313) 396-0200	Wayne – North Central – Children’s Service Administration District 13233 Hamilton Detroit, MI 48203 (313) 852-1700	Wayne – South Central – Children’s Service Administration District 1801 E. Canfield Detroit, MI 48207 (313) 578-5500
Wayne – Western Wayne – Children’s Service Administration District 25350 Ecorse Road Detroit, MI 48180 (313) 295-8000	Wayne – Grandmont Service District 17455 Grand River Avenue Detroit, MI 48227 (313) 493-7801	Wayne – Redford Service Center 27260 Plymouth Road Redford, MI 48239 (313) 937-4200
Wayne – Fort Wayne District 6534 W. Jefferson Detroit, MI 48209 (313) 554-8300	Wayne – Glendale/Trumbull District 396 Glendale Highland Park, MI 48203 (313) 852-2187	Wayne – Oakman/Grand River District 4505 Oakman Blvd. Detroit, MI 48204 (313) 934-4400
Wayne – Grand River/Warren 5131 Grand River Detroit, MI 48208 (313) 361-7300	Wayne – Hamtramck 12140 Joseph Campau Street Hamtramck, MI 48212 (313) 892-0180	Wayne – Conner Service Center District 4733 Conner Detroit, MI 48215 (313) 926-8600
Wayne – Gratiot/Seven Mile 14061 Lappin Detroit, MI 48205 (313) 372-6200	Wayne – Adult Medical Services District 2000 W. Lafayette Detroit, MI 48216(313) 963-6002

Third-Party Voting Registration Organizations

Third-party organizations are also resources to register to vote. They also provide other voting-related services, such as:

Register to vote in your state.
Check your registration status.
Request absentee ballots to vote by mail in your state.
Get election reminders.
Locate your nearest local polling place.
Fill out census forms.

These organizations typically help you register to vote online through their websites. They process your voting registration application for free.

They also provide information and answer any questions you may have regarding voting registration, where and how to vote and other helpful information. Check out the contact information for third-party organizations that provide registration assistance and services below:

Vote.org at Vote.org

Rock the Vote at RockTheVote.org
U.S. Vote Foundation at USVoteFoundation.org
When We All Vote at WhenWeAllVote.org

How to Update Your Voter Registration

Voters will need to update their voter registration if they have changed their name or address, or if they wish to change their political affiliation.

If you need to update your voter registration, you must complete the registration process once again. You can use the same online, by-mail and in-person methods detailed above.

About the Voter Registration Card

In Michigan, a “voter registration card” and the “voter registration form” are not the same document. The voter form is an application, while the voter card is confirmation of your registration. View or download the Michigan voter registration card/form here.

If you are registered to vote and intend to vote in-person at a polling location, you will need to complete and sign the voter registration card/form in black ink to vote on election day. Polling locations have the Michigan voter registration card/form available to fill out at the location. However, you can also complete the card/form before visiting and bring the completed card/form with you to the polling location.

The voter registration card cannot be used for identification, and you do not need your registration card to vote. You will need to bring a valid ID to vote.

If you registered to vote by mail, the county clerk where you registered will mail you a card as confirmation.

Learn more about the Michigan voter registration card in the Election Day Registration Manual here.

How to Check the Status of Your Voter Registration

You can check your voter status by inputting your personal information into the Michigan Voter Information Search tool here.

You can also contact your local County Clerk’s Office to check your voter status. Find your nearest office and contact information here.

You can also check your voter registration status and more at one of the third-party organizations listed in the “Third-Party Voting Registration Organizations” section above.

Type of Elections

The different types of elections in Michigan include:

General elections are held to elect candidates into elected offices of president, vice president, congress, and state and county electors. These elections are in November.

Primary elections are held to decide who will be on the ballot for the general election. In Michigan, all candidates for elective offices must be nominated by winning the primary election. The dates of these election days occur throughout the year.

Special elections are held to elect candidates into office. They can be held at any time for any legal purpose.

When Are the Upcoming Election Dates and Registration Deadlines?

The Michigan Secretary of State’s Office provides an up-to-date Election Calendar online. To see upcoming election dates and voter registration deadlines, click here.

You can also see upcoming election dates and voter registration deadlines on RocktheVote.org here.

You can stay on top of upcoming elections by signing up for reminders through:

The Federal Voting Assistance Program here.
Vote.org here.
RocktheVote.org here.

Where Can I Vote?

Michigan residents who are registered to vote must do so in their designated polling location. To find your polling location, you can:

Click here to use the Michigan Secretary of State’s Voting Location Tool.
Contact your local County Clerk’s Office for more information. Find your nearest office and contact information here.

How Do I Cast My Vote?

To cast a vote in person, find your designated polling location here. When visiting a polling location on election day, you must bring a photo ID.

To cast a vote by mail, you will need to request an absentee ballot. Find out more about who is eligible for absentee voting in Michigan here. Access the Michigan Absentee Ballot Application Form here.

How Do I Vote If I Recently Moved?

If you have moved out of your voting district, you will need to register to vote once again and provide your updated address. You can register to vote in the following ways:

To register to vote online, click here to use the Michigan Electronic Voter Registration Application. You can only use this system if you have a Michigan driver’s license or ID card.
To register to vote by mail, click here to access the Michigan Voter Registration Form. Mail the completed form to your local County Clerk’s Office. Find your nearest office and contact information here.
To register to vote in person, visit your local County Clerk’s Office. Find your nearest office and contact information at the bottom of this section. Or, view the County Clerk list here.

If you move out of Michigan, you will need to register to vote in your new state. Learn more about the voter registration process on a national scale here.

Where Can I Find Information About Candidates Who Are Running for Office?

To learn about the primary candidates who will be running for local, state and federal offices in Michigan in upcoming elections, check the Michigan State website here.

From the third-party organization Ballotpedia.org, you can also find information on candidates who will run in the upcoming Michigan elections, including the:

President of the United States here
U.S. Senate here
U.S. House Representatives here
State Senate here
State House Representatives here
State Supreme Court members here
State Court of Appeals here

What Are the Government Office Positions That We Vote for During Elections?

Elections in Michigan are held to elect people into Federal, State, and Local offices.

Federal offices include the following:

The President of the United States serves a four-year term, and the general election is held on the first Tuesday of November of election years. This elected official is the head of state and government and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
U.S. Senators serve six-year terms, and the elections for the two seats are in November of staggering years. These elected officials are a part of Congress, approve or reject treaties and confirm presidential appointments. The laws they work with affect the entire country.
U.S. Representatives serve two-year terms, and general elections are held in November. These elected officials are also a part of Congress, approve or reject trade agreements and the confirmation of the Vice President.

State offices include the following:

The State Governor serves a four-year term, and has elections on even years that are not presidential election years in November. This person is the state’s highest-ranking official and signs bills into law or can veto legislation.
State executive offices are typically four-year terms, and include:

- Lieutenant Governor – Second to the Governor
- Secretary of State – Responsible for running the state’s elections, business licensing, and publication of official documentation
- Attorney General – Oversees charges and cases against individuals on behalf of the state government
- Treasurer – Maintains state funds and acts as the state bank
- Controller – Pays the state’s bills and is responsible for the state’s accounting and financial reports
- Superintendence of Public Instruction – Runs the state’s public school system (two-year term)
- Insurance Director – Enforces regulations regarding businesses
- Public Utilities Commission – Supervises electric, gas, water and telecommunications utilities for the state (six-year term)
State Senators serve two-year terms, and have general elections for even years in November. These elected officials pass state laws that affect only residents of the state.
State Representatives serve two-year terms, and have elections for even years in November. These officials handle legislation on a district level. They are often called congressmen and congresswomen.
State Supreme Court members serve six-year terms, and have elections for even years in November. These officials are judges and make up the highest state judiciary court, which makes their ruling laws.
State Court of Appeals justices serve six-year terms, and have elections in November. However, the chief judge only serves for two years. These nonpartisan (not affiliated with a political party) judges sit on the Michigan Court of Appeals and handle challenges and appeals to district court decisions.
District Court judges serve four-year terms, and have elections in November. These nonpartisan judges make rulings on local trials, such as small claims, divorces, criminal proceedings and civil cases.

Local offices include the following:

- Mayors serve four-year terms, and oversee city government.
- City council members serve four-year terms, and help pass local laws.
- Commissioners serve four-year terms, and govern a county and administer local taxes, property registration, building code enforcement, and public work services.
- District court clerks serve four-year terms, and provide assistance to district judges.
- Treasurers serve four-year terms, and maintain county funds.
- Assessors serve four-year terms, and oversee local tax laws and collections.
- Coroners serve four-year terms, and investigate local deaths to determine cause.
- Highway district commissioners serve four-year terms, and supervise the highways and roadways within their jurisdiction.
- Prosecutors serve four-year terms, and charges and cases against individuals on behalf of the local government.
- Sheriffs serve four-year terms, and these officials are responsible for enforcing the law in the county.

School board members serve six-year terms, and elections vary by county. Members of the group are responsible for making decisions related to local schools, such as spending priorities, curriculum approval, and setting the academic calendar.

Need More Help?

If you have further questions about absentee ballots or the voter registration process, contact your local County Clerk’s Office. Find your nearest office and contact information here.