Are you voting by absentee ballot in Michigan for the Nov. 5, 2024, election? Here’s what to know.
Who can vote with an absentee ballot?
All registered Michigan voters can vote absentee. Unless they are on the permanent absentee ballot list, a voter must submit an absentee ballot application to their local clerk. Voters can request an absentee ballot online, by mail, or at their local clerk’s office.
How to complete an absentee ballot
Absentee ballot envelopes include a ballot, a secrecy sleeve, and ballot marking instructions.
Follow the written instructions that were included with the ballot. When you’re finished, insert the ballot into the secrecy sleeve. Voters also have to sign and date the return envelope on the provided space. If you make a mistake while filling out an absentee ballot, you have to request a new ballot from your local clerk’s office to correct the error.
---> Find your local clerk’s office here.
How to return an absentee ballot
Absentee ballots can be returned by mail, by drop box, at an early voting site, a clerk’s office, or your polling location on Election Day.
To be counted, an absentee ballot must be received by the local clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. The only exception to this is for military and overseas ballots, which must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by their local clerk within six days of the election to be counted.
- Returning ballot by mail: Voters can use the provided pre-paid envelope to return their absentee ballot by mail. Voters are encouraged to mail their absentee ballot at least two weeks before Election Day to avoid mailing delays.
- Returning ballot by drop box: Voters can return a completed and signed absentee ballot to one of their clerk’s secure drop boxes located in their city or township.
- At an early voting site: Voters can bring their completed absentee ballot to their early voting site to insert directly into a tabulator.
- At a clerk’s office: Voters can return their completed and signed absentee ballot in person to their local clerk’s office.
- On Election Day: Voters can bring their completed absentee ballot to their precinct to insert directly into a tabulator.
Can you return another person’s absentee ballot?
Yes, but only in some situations.
The following people are permitted to return a voter’s absentee ballot:
- The voter.
- A member of the voter’s immediate family who has been asked to return the ballot.
- A person residing in the voter’s household who has been asked to return the ballot.
- A mail carrier during the course of their official duty.
- An authorized election official in the voter’s jurisdiction.
It is a felony in Michigan for someone other than those listed above to possess or deliver a ballot, even if it hasn’t been filled out.
What if I want to change my vote after returning my absentee ballot?
In most cases, absentee voters have the option to “spoil” their ballot, or change their vote, until 5 p.m. on the second Friday before Election Day. They can only do this if the vote has not already been tabulated.
How to track your absentee ballot
Voters can track the status of their absentee ballot application and ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote.
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.