How to vote in Michigan on or before November 5, 2024

The general election is on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. There are many ways to vote between now and Election Day.

Vote early if possible—it’s never been so easy and convenient. Anyone in Michigan can apply for an absentee ballot, with no reason, and every voter will have the opportunity to vote early. You have the right to vote! 

Scroll down to find important dates, what you can access through Michigan’s Voter Information Center, who in Michigan can register to vote and vote, and what to bring if you go in-person to register to vote or vote at your city/township clerk’s office. You can vote even if you are unhoused, have a past conviction, are on parole or probation, or if you are in or out of jail waiting to be sentenced.

Important dates

  • Now: You can request an absentee ballot, fill out or drop off your absentee ballot, and register to vote at your local election clerk’s office.
    • After October 21, Michigan’s Secretary of State recommends going in-person rather than requesting your absentee ballot online or mailing it back. This avoids possible postal delays.
    • Find a dropbox near you to drop off your absentee ballot.
  • For Detroit residents: Early voting starts October 19. Find an early vote center in Detroit here.
  • October 26 – November 3: Early voting period for Michigan.
    • Find your early voting location here.
    • (Please check with your local clerk about a possible extended early voting period for your municipality.)
  • November 5: Election Day.
    • Polls are open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m, and you have a right to vote if you are in line by 8 p.m. Find your Election Day voting location here. You can also register to vote at your local clerk’s office if you’re not yet registered. And you can also drop off your absentee ballot at a dropbox near you before 8 p.m. Thank you for being a voter!

You can find voting resources in non-English languages here. Do you live in Dearborn? Dearborn residents can request an Arabic-translated ballot from the city clerk now and on Election Day.

Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at mi.gov/vote to:

Are you in Michigan’s 12th congressional district?

Rashida Tlaib is running for re-election in Michigan’s 12th congressional district, which was newly created during the 2022 redistricting process. Check which new Michigan district you’re in following 2022’s redistricting process.

If you live in Michigan’s 12th district, see below for absentee drop box and early voting location information. If you don’t live in the district but want to see more information about registering to vote and voting, check out the sections below these graphics.

You can register and vote in Michigan if:

  • You are a U.S. citizen.
  • You are a resident of a city or township in Michigan for at least 30 days (or will have been a resident for 30+ days by Election Day).
    • You don’t have to be housed to vote! You can register to vote using a street corner, park, shelter or any other place where you usually stay as your address. You can also provide an address of an advocacy organization or someone who will accept mail for you.
  • You are at least 17.5 years old and will be 18 years old by Election Day.
  • You are NOT currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.
    • However, you CAN vote if you are:
    • In jail awaiting trial/sentencing (by absentee ballot)
    • Awaiting arraignment (the process of having a judge formally present charges against you)
    • Charged with a felony but not convicted
    • Newly released from jail or prison (including people with felony convictions)
    • On parole or probation (including people with felony convictions)
    • In the process of appealing a conviction

What to bring if you go in-person to register to vote at your city/township clerk’s office:

Provide “proof of residency”: a document with your name and your current address in the city/township where you live. Paper or electronic copies of any of the following documents will work:

  • A Michigan driver’s license or state ID card
  • A utility bill
  • A bank statement
  • A paycheck
  • A government check
  • Any other government document

You don’t have to be housed to vote! You can register to vote using a street corner, park, shelter or any other place where you usually stay as your address. You can also provide an address of an advocacy organization or someone who will accept mail for you.

You can find more information about voter registration here.

If you go in-person to vote at your city/township clerk’s office (which you can do right after registering in-person):

  • If English is not your first language, you are allowed to bring someone to help translate for you and help you complete your ballot (anyone except your employer or union). You can find voting resources in non-English languages here.
  • If you are blind, disabled, or unable to read or write, you have the right to bring someone to assist you with voting (anyone except your employer or union). You can find out more information about accessible voting here.
  • You do NOT need a photo ID to vote. If you have one, bring it with you and provide it to the poll worker. Otherwise, you can sign a simple form and still vote.
    • Although you don’t need to have an ID to vote, these are ID types you can use when checking in to vote:
      • Michigan driver’s license or state ID (may be expired)
      • Driver’s license or state ID issued by another state
      • Federal, state or local government-issued photo ID
      • U.S. passport
      • Military photo ID
      • Photo ID from an educational institution
      • Tribal photo ID

You can find more information about voting in-person here.