August 2024 Election Dates
August 8, 2024, Primary
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Once you have completed and signed your absentee ballot, you may
return it by mail, to a secure drop box in your jurisdiction, or in
person to your local clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
To avoid the potential for mailing delays, it is strongly recommended
that you mail your absentee ballot at least 14 days prior to an election
to ensure it is received in time and can be tabulated.
You can securely locate an absentee ballot drop box in your area and find your local clerk’s office at Michigan.gov/Vote.
Yes, eligible registered Michigan voters may request and cast their
vote by absentee ballot in any election. As a registered Michigan voter,
you can also sign up for the Permanent Absentee Voter List to
automatically receive an absentee ballot application before every
election.
You may sign up for the Permanent Absentee Voter List anytime at
Michigan.gov/Vote or when completing a Michigan Absent Voter Ballot
Application by mail or at your local clerk’s office.
While all registered and eligible Michigan voters can request and vote by absentee ballot in any election, you are not required to vote by absentee ballot, even if you request and receive one. All registered and eligible Michigan voters still have the option to vote in person at their designated polling location on Election Day instead.
If you request and receive an absentee ballot ahead of an election but would prefer to vote in person, bring your absentee ballot with you to your polling place on Election Day to surrender and/or spoil it. If your absentee ballot was lost or damaged and you plan to vote in person instead, you must provide a written and signed statement.
If you would like to change your vote after returning your completed and signed absentee ballot to your local clerk's office, you can "spoil" the original ballot by requesting a new ballot.
- Spoiling a ballot that has already been submitted: Your written and signed request must be received by your local clerk’s office by 5 p.m. the Friday before Election Day.
- Spoiling a ballot that has not yet been submitted: Your written and signed request must be received in person by your local clerk’s office by 4 p.m. the Monday before Election Day.
You can securely track the mailing and receipt of your absentee ballot application and absentee ballot through Michigan.gov/Vote. If you have questions about the mailing or receipt of your application or absentee ballot, contact your local clerk’s office.
Voters with disabilities can submit an accessible absent voter ballot
application at Michigan.gov/Vote. When you request an accessible
absentee ballot, you will be emailed an electronic ballot and can mark
the ballot on an electronic device, using your own assistive technology,
and print and mail or otherwise return the ballot to your local clerk
by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
You can also download an accessible application to vote absentee and
submit it to your local clerk’s office by mail, email, or in person. Or,
visit your local clerk’s office to request an absentee ballot in
person.
Accessible absentee ballot application
In Michigan, absentee ballots are not counted until a voter has twice provided signatures matching the one on file with their local election clerk – first on their application and then on their absentee ballot envelope. Ballots are rejected when they lack a matching signature. Similarly, upon arriving at a polling place, voters are asked to provide photo ID or sign an affidavit confirming their identity and eligibility to vote.
Voting in another person’s name is illegal – regardless of if it is the other person’s maiden name or the person has died or moved. Charges are brought against people who attempt to apply for the ballot of someone else – and those applications are rejected.
Anyone with evidence of voter fraud should report it to law enforcement in writing so that it can be investigated and referred for prosecution.
Track your absentee ballot at Michigan.gov
This link provides helpful information about where to find your clerk, polling place, and sample ballots. Looking to register or update your voter registration? Visit our registration page.