The 2024 General Election is just around the corner, but Michigan residents won’t have to wait for November to cast their votes.
For the first time since the passing of Proposal 3 in 2020, Michigan voters will be able to vote in-person early in a General Election. Voters will also have the ability to submit their ballot via mail, for any reason.
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Michigan mail-in voting
All registered voters in Michigan have the right to vote by mail using an absentee ballot delivered to their home. Voters can also request an absentee ballot directly from their local clerk’s office. Absentee ballots are available beginning 40 days prior to every election.
Michigan voters can now join the permanent absentee ballot list by checking a box on the application to automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election.
Requesting an absentee ballot
A voter must submit an absentee ballot application to their local clerk before an absentee ballot can be sent (unless they are on the permanent absentee ballot list). Absentee ballots are available and distributed beginning 40 days before the election.
Michigan voters can decide to be placed on a permanent absentee ballot list. Their local clerk will then automatically mail them an absentee ballot for all local, state, and federal elections.
Select a tab to review options for requesting an absentee ballot.
For information on military and overseas absentee voting, visit the military and overseas voting section.
---> More here from the Michigan Secretary of State
Completing and returning an absentee ballot
Absentee ballot envelopes will contain a ballot, a secrecy sleeve, and ballot marking instructions. Voters who make a mistake when filling out an absentee ballot must request a new ballot from their local clerk’s office for the error to be corrected. Mistakes may include:
- Signing in the wrong place.
- Listing the incorrect date.
- Signing with a different signature than what is on file with your local clerk.
- Accidentally marking a non-preferred vote on the ballot.
Filling out an absentee ballot: Voters should complete their absentee ballot by carefully following the written instructions included with the ballot. Instructions may differ based on the type of election. Voters may contact their local clerk with questions about how to complete an absentee ballot.
Inserting the ballot into the secrecy sleeve: Completed ballots should be inserted into the secrecy sleeve as instructed.
Signing an absentee ballot envelope: Voters must sign and date the return envelope on the provided space. Voters should use their signature as shown on their driver’s license, state ID, or voter registration application.
If a voter’s signature does not fit in the provided space, a shorter signature that resembles the signature on record may be used. Voters may also sign a shortened version of their first name, for example, “Bill” for the name “William”.
Returning the absentee ballot: Voters have several options to securely return their completed and signed absentee ballot envelope. Absentee ballots must be received by a voter’s local clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted, with the exception of military and overseas ballots which must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by their local clerk within 6 days after the election in order to be counted.
---> Locate your local clerk’s office
Voters can securely track the status of their absentee ballot application and ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote. Voters may also contact their local clerk’s office with questions about the receipt of their application.
Michigan early voting
Early voting for the November 5, 2024 general election begins October 26th and ends November 3rd.
Any registered voter in Michigan has the right to vote early in person at an early voting site for statewide and federal elections in which they are eligible.
Voters in Michigan can register to vote up to and on Election Day, including during the early voting period.
The early voting period takes place for a minimum of nine consecutive days, ending on the Sunday before an election. Communities may decide to provide additional days of early voting, up to 29 days total.
Early voting sites must be open for at least eight hours each day during the early voting period.
Early voting is offered for all statewide and federal elections. Communities may also choose to provide early voting for local elections.
Early voting site locations, dates, and hours are available 60 days prior to Election Day at Michigan.gov/Vote.