Are You Ready To Vote?

Election day is just around the corner. Make sure you have a plan and know all the facts before you go. To help, we have created a guide for frequently asked questions about voting.

Register to Vote (In Person)

You can register to vote in person from now until Election Day (11/8) by 8:00 p.m. Find your clerk at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk

⚠️ You CANNOT register at your polling place on Election Day.

All you need to register is: 

• Social Security Number

• Michigan driver’s license or State ID

• Be at least 17.5 years old (18 when you vote)

• Residency in Michigan 30 days before 11/8

• Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

Requesting Your Absentee Ballot (In Person)

To ensure you receive your absentee ballot on time, request it IN PERSON at your clerk’s office by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7!

Find your clerk at: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk

You can print and fill out the form before you drop it off at your clerk’s office. Or you can fill one out there: 

Links to Forms: 

• English: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/25delrio/2022-AVApp-Aug---Nov-dual-English.pdf?rev=944340613213430782c63ac79ade543f&hash=CF304D5B97B239240194E424C7916E37

• English (large print): https://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/Absent_Voter_Ballot_Application_-_large_print_680764_7_704968_7.pdf

• Spanish: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/25delrio/2022-AVApp-Aug---Nov_Spanish.pdf?rev=d4242b88366b45878ad5c75196bdc75e&hash=5254CA6013D905D6226B9B0241A70349

• Arabic: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/25delrio/2022-AVApp-Nov-Arabic.pdf?rev=965ae8106c964b488985283ea643dda6&hash=5D58069B010D1A853E13CCA2CFD167FB

• Bengali: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/ED-121BE_691104_7.pdf

• Farsi: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/25delrio/2022-AVApp-Aug---Nov---Farsi.pdf?rev=2758ce17931043389170e7ed3ffd5c56&hash=445501503BBC02D052817701B47492A0

Returning Your Absentee Ballot (In Person)

Don’t wait! Return your absentee ballot today! It must be RECEIVED by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day (November 8th). 

1. Fill out your absentee ballot completely (make sure to check the backside)

2. Put your ballot in the secrecy sleeve, put the secrecy sleeve in the return envelope and seal it, and lastly, sign and date the return envelope.

3. Return your absentee ballot to your local clerk’s office or dropbox. You can find those locations here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk

4. Track your returned ballot at: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index

Accessible Voting (Absentee)

You have the right to accessible voting! 

Voters with print disabilities may apply for an electronic absentee ballot that is filled out electronically, printed, and returned to your clerk. 

Apply online by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4: https://sites.omniballot.us/26/absentee/app/home

After applying

• You’ll be emailed a link to your ballot.

• Complete the ballot, print it, place it in a sealed envelope, and sign and date the back of the envelope.

• It MUST be received by 8:00 p.m. Election Day (November 8)

• Only you, a person residing in your household, a mail carrier, or an election official can deliver your ballot. 

• It is HIGHLY recommended that you return your ballot to your clerk or a dropbox. You can find those locations here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk

Accessible Voting (In Person)

You have the right to accessible voting!

You have a few options:

• OUTSIDE: An election official can allow curbside voting if you cannot get out of the car

• INSIDE: You have the right to a Voter Assist Terminal

• INSIDE: Anyone can assist you with filling out your ballot (except your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your labor union) 

• LANGUAGE ACCESS: Those in Colfax Twp. and Fennville have the right to a Spanish ballot, those in Hamtramck have the right to a Bengali ballot, and everyone else has the right to assistance from anyone you choose (except your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your labor union).

Prepare for Election Day

1. Research your ballot: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot/Index

2. Find your polling place: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index

3. Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. local time

4. Bring your photo ID (Driver’s License, State ID, Passport, Military ID, Student ID, Tribal ID)

5. You can still vote if you don’t have a photo ID by signing an affidavit swearing that you are yourself.

6. In line after polls close at 8:00 p.m.? Stay! You’re still allowed to vote.

7. Have questions? You can always contact your clerk: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk

Important Dates

FAQs

Am I registered to vote?

🤷 Check out this page to find out: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index

Do I need an ID to vote on election day?

At your polling place, you’ll be asked to show your ID.

HOWEVER, if you don’t have one, you can still vote by signing an affidavit swearing that you are yourself. 

Here are acceptable IDs:

• Driver’s License

• State ID

• Passport

• Military ID

• Student ID

• Tribal ID

Do I have to vote at my home address?

You have to vote at whatever address you’re registered to vote at. To find your polling location, visit here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index

If I am an out-of-state student, can I switch my location to my college dorm room?

College students have two options

1. Register to vote using your STUDENT ADDRESS.

2. Register to vote using your PERMANENT HOME ADDRESS.

The best option is to register at your clerk’s office in person. You’ll also need a couple of forms. 

• Identification (acceptable documents include):

  • A Michigan driver’s license number

  • A Michigan personal ID number

  • The last four digits of your Social Security Number 

• Proof of Residency (acceptable documents include): 

  • Michigan driver’s license or state ID

  • Financial aid documents

  • University registration forms

  • Current utility bill

  • Bank statement

  • Credit card bill

  • Signed lease

  • Paycheck or government check

  • An insurance policy

  • Other government documents

Find your clerk’s office here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk

Can you vote if you are incarcerated?

You lose all rights to vote under Michigan law if you are

• In jail or prison for a felony or misdemeanor

• Serving a sentence

But, can you vote if you have a felony or misdemeanor on your record?

Yes! You can vote with criminal charges on your record. 

You can also vote if you are:

• Awaiting arraignment (going in front of a judge to formally hear the charges against you)

• Awaiting trial (this can take weeks to years)

• Charged with a felony but not convicted

• Newly released from jail or prison

• On parole or probation

• In the process of appealing a conviction

• If you are in jail but are waiting for your trial to start, you can vote using an absentee ballot.

All rights are restored the day you are released from incarceration.

Learn more at: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/34lawens/You_Can_Vote_Returning_Citizens_Version.pdf?rev=fa0b9dde1d07412a834d4e9eee92a97e&hash=8B3256B468196566F995DE8F406EB8EF