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Everything you need to know before voting in the 2024 election

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) (Lynne Sladky, Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, is Election Day for the 2024 presidential election and a variety of local elections.

What time do polls open?

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Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. All registered voters can vote at their polling place on Election Day.

Unregistered voters, or voters who have not updated their registration to their current address, needs to go to their local clerk’s office to register and may also vote at their clerk’s office using an absentee ballot.

Voters in line by 8 p.m. on Election Day have the right to register to vote in person at their local clerk’s office.

How to find your polling location

At each polling place on Election Day, election inspectors will be available to help voters and run elections.

It’s important to look up your local polling place on Election Day, just in case it has not moved to a different location.

Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center to find your polling location.

Before you head to the polls, voters should remember to look up their registration status to ensure it’s current.

Need to register to vote?

Voters must register to vote in person at their clerk’s office or satellite office and present proof of residency documentation within 14 days of an election.

Related: What happens if you choose straight ticket and still vote in individual races in Michigan elections?

You will be asked for a photo ID if you register to vote in person. Don’t have one? You can sign an affidavit and then register to vote.

Acceptable forms of photo ID include the following:

  • Driver’s license or state ID card issued by Michigan or another state
  • Federal, state, county or local government-issued photo ID
  • U.S. passport
  • Military photo ID card
  • Student photo ID card from an educational institution
  • Tribal photo ID card
  • Local or county-issued government ID
  • Concealed Pistol license

Related: Can you wear election-related clothing when you go to vote in Michigan?

Do‘s and Don’ts at your local polling place

  • Do bring a voter information guide or pamphlet when voting, just be sure to take it when leaving.
  • Do bring an interpreter if assistance is needed to vote in a language other than English.
  • Do take a selfie outside the voting area.
  • Do not wear campaign clothes or accessories into or within 100 feet of a polling place (stickers, hats, pins, etc.).
  • Do not bring election or campaign flyers into or within 100 feet of a polling place.
  • Do not take a photo within the voting area.

How to access your voter information

You can visit mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index to check your registration status, polling location, view your sample ballot, track your absentee ballot, find early voting information, and more.

Related: What college, university students need to know before voting on Election Day

Can you vote a ‘split’ ticket?

Yes. Michigan voters are allowed to select candidates from different parties for different races during the general election on Nov. 5, 2024.

---> Is ‘split ticket’ voting allowed in Michigan elections? How does it work?

Get a ride to the polls

Nonpartisan organizations and companies offer free rides to the polls and early voting sites in some areas. More information is available online at michiganvoting.org/rides.

Don’t forget your cool sticker

This year the Michigan Department of State held a “I Voted” sticker design contest and chose nine winners. They’re all awesome.

The nine winning designs were made available for clerks to order and give out to voters during the 2024 presidential election.

More than 480 designs were submitted and more than 57,700 public votes were cast for winners. The winning designs were chosen from three categories: elementary/middle school (grades K-8), high school (grades 9-12), and general entry (open to Michigan residents of all ages).

Did you get one of the winning stickers when you voted?

Tracking election results

Local 4 has you covered on all local elections and the presidential election results. You can see the election results beginning Tuesday night here.

How to report violation at polling location

If you need to report possible civil rights violations, contact the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division online at civilrights.justice.gov or call (800) 253-3931.

To report possible federal crimes, such as concerns about threats against voters, election officials or election fraud, contact the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov or call (800) CALLFBI.

If you experience or witness voter intimidation at a polling place or an early voting location, contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General by email at miag@michigan.gov or call (517) 335-7659.


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