A Guide on Michigan Elections (original) (raw)

Dear Friend,

My Senate colleagues and I have worked hard to make casting your ballot as accessible and easy as possible. As your state Senator, I want to share with you your voting options ahead of this year’s crucial election. In this brochure, we have guidance on how to update your voter registration, secure an absentee ballot, navigate new voting laws that went into effect in February 2024, and more.

If you have any questions that you need help with, or input you would like to share, please call my office at (517) 373-1801 or email me at SenWBrinks@senate.michigan.gov.

Working for you,

Winnie Brinks
State Senator
29th District

When

The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5. If you are in line to vote by 8 p.m., you cannot be turned away.

Where

Simply show up at your assigned polling location on Election Day. You can find your polling location online at the Michigan Voter Information Center at mi.gov/vote.

Make Sure Your Registration is Up to Date

Have you recently moved or changed your name since the last election? If so, you will need to update your voter registration.

Michigan voters are encouraged to register as early as possible before an election. Updating your registration status is simple and can be done in less than 10 minutes.

Methods and requirements for voter registration depend on the following deadlines:

• If there are 15+ days before an election, voters can register online, by mail, or in person at your local clerk’s office or Secretary of State branch.
• Within 14 days of an election, and on Election Day, voters may only register by visiting their local clerk’s office to register in person with proof of residency documentation.

The last day to register other than in person with your local clerk for the General Election is Monday, Oct. 21.

Voters can check their voter registration status and look up their local clerk information at mi.gov/vote.

Note: If you are updating your registration in person, state law requires you to show a picture ID or sign an affidavit attesting to your identity and that you are not currently in possession of a picture ID.

All registered voters can vote using an absentee ballot for any reason, no questions asked. You can vote by mail without leaving your home or request a ballot and vote at your local clerk’s office. There are no postage costs to you at the time of mailing the absentee application or ballot.

Voting by Absentee Ballot

To vote absentee, you must turn in an absentee ballot application to your clerk online, by mail, or in person. We strongly recommend you request your absentee ballot online no later than 14 days prior to the election.

If for whatever reason you do not turn in your absentee ballot, you still have the option to vote in person at your polling station.

Once you complete your absentee ballot, your city or township clerk must receive it back as voted and signed by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted (six-day extension for MOVE — Military Overseas Voter Empowerment Act — ballots if postmarked, part of Proposal 2 of 2022). You can submit by mail or by hand-delivering the ballot to your clerk’s office or their drop box. If you are trying to return your ballot within two weeks of Election Day, we recommend hand- delivering your ballot to avoid possible postal delays.

To find a drop box near you or locate your local clerk’s office, visit mi.gov/vote.

Absentee Voters in the Military and Outside the U.S.

You may use a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) form to apply for an absentee ballot if you are a military voter, a spouse or dependent of a military voter, or are outside the U.S. The law also permits such voters to receive their ballot electronically via email or fax. For more information, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program at fvap.gov or the Michigan Bureau of Elections at Michigan.gov/elections.

Permanent Absentee

As of February 2024, Michigan voters can now elect to automatically receive absentee voter ballots for all future elections through a single, one-time application.

To join the permanent absentee ballot list, submit the regular application to receive an absentee ballot in the next election. Once received, you will see a correlating box on the absentee ballot inquiring about joining the permanent absentee list. Simply select the box on the application and mail or hand-deliver your absentee ballot as normal. Contact your local clerk for more information.

All registered Michigan voters have the right to vote in statewide elections at least nine days early in person at your designated early voting site indicated by your municipality.

Early voting starts at least on the second Saturday before the election and ends the Sunday before the election — nine consecutive days of early, in-person voting.

To learn more about early in-person voting, visit mi.gov/vote.

Voters Who Require Voting Assistance

The Michigan Senate Democrats will always fight to ensure voting is a safe, easy and straightforward process for everyone. If you require voting assistance, ask election workers at your polling station for help. You do not need to provide them with a reason or explanation. They must assist you upon request.

Federal and state laws require polling places to remove or make accommodations for any barriers that prevent voters with disabilities from voting — doors should not be blocked, alternatives to stairs such as ramps or elevators should be available, and lighting and seating should be adequate. Polling places must also provide proper accommodations while voting including seated voting booths, Voter Assist Terminals, and more.

If you or someone you know needs special access to the polls, call your clerk’s office ahead of time to make sure your voting site is free of obstructions.

For more information, contact your city or township clerk or visit mi.gov/vote. Hearing impaired residents may contact the Bureau of Elections through email at elections@michigan.gov.

If you or someone you know encounters accessibility issues at the polls or when applying for an absentee ballot, it’s important they are fixed promptly. Call (866) OUR-VOTE to report these problems so the voting process can be improved.

When you arrive at your polling place to vote, state law requires you to either show a picture ID or sign an affidavit attesting that you are not in possession of a picture ID.

Note: If you do not bring a picture ID to the polls or do not own a picture ID, you can vote like any other voter by signing an affidavit that will be provided to you.