10/24/22 - General Election 2022 - Absentee Voting

There is still an opportunity for Michigan voters to vote absentee.

More and more voters have decided to skip voting in person for the General Election.

Some have already turned in their ballots but others may still be interested in voting absentee.

The Secretary of State says if you want to apply for a ballot, there are 3 ways you can do that:  online (Michigan.gov/Vote), by mail, or visit your local clerk's office. 

How do I apply for an absentee ballot?

Within two weeks of election day, to avoid possible postal delays, we recommend making your request in person at your local city or township clerk office. You’ll be able to fill out and submit your ballot while there.

• Online – Registered voters can request an absentee ballot online through our absentee voter request form before 5 p.m. the Friday before the election.
• Call your city or township clerk and ask that an application be mailed to you
• Download an application to return by mail or in person to your local city or township clerk
• In person at your local city or township clerk’s office

When do I need to deliver my ballot?

Your completed absentee ballot should be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can submit by mail, or by hand-delivering the ballot to your clerk’s office or their drop box. If you are returning your ballot within two weeks of election day, we recommend hand-delivering your ballot to avoid possible postal delays.

Begin the process early by mailing in your application for an absentee ballot as soon as possible. Applications can be submitted up to 75 days before an election.

What are my other options for requesting an absentee ballot?

• Call your city or township clerk and ask that an application be mailed to you
• Download an application to return by mail or in person to your local clerk or township

• Did my ballot arrive?

  All registered voters can track their ballot by looking up their information in the voter information section of this website.

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• What if I have an emergency on Election Day?

  If an emergency, like a sudden illness or family death prevents you from reaching the polls on Election Day, you may request an emergency absent voter ballot.

  Requests for an emergency ballot must be submitted after the deadline for regular absent voter ballots has passed but before 4 p.m. on Election Day.

  The emergency must have occurred at a time which made it impossible for you to apply for a regular absent voter ballot. Please contact your local clerk for more information about emergency absent voter ballots.

   

  I submitted my ballot. Can I change my vote?

  If a voter has already voted absentee and wishes to change their vote (because the candidate has dropped out of the race, or for any other reason), a voter can spoil their ballot by submitting a written request to their city or township clerk.

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• The voter must sign the request and state if they would like a new absentee ballot mailed to them or if they will pick it up in person at the clerk’s office.
• This request must be received by 5 p.m. the Friday before the election if the absentee ballot has been returned to the clerk.
• An absentee ballot that has not been returned to the clerk may be spoiled in person at the clerk’s office until 4 p.m. the Monday prior to the election.
• If a voter has not returned his or her ballot, the voter can surrender the ballot or sign a statement stating that the ballot was lost or destroyed and vote at the polls. There is no option on Election Day to spoil an absentee ballot that has been received by the clerk.

• Contact information about your clerk can be found in the voter information section of this website.