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 to vote by mail by going to your local election clerk’s office or at mi.gov/vote.
    • (If you want to join the Permanent Mail Ballot List, check the box indicating that you’d like to automatically receive a mail ballot for each future election for which you’re eligible.)
    • You can return your ballot by mail, but if it’s after October 21, the Michigan Secretary of State recommends going to your local clerk’s office to drop off your absentee ballot instead of mailing it, in case of possible postal delays.
  • October 21: Last day to register to vote online at mi.gov/vote or by mail.
    • After October 21, you can register in person at your local clerk’s office, including on Election Day.
    • To avoid possible postal delays, the Michigan Secretary of State also recommends requesting your absentee ballot online before this date; afterwards it’s best to go to your local clerk’s office to request and deliver your absentee ballot.
  • October 26 – November 3: Early voting period for Michigan (Please check with your local clerk about a possible extended early voting period for your municipality). Find your early voting location here.
    • For Detroit residents: early voting starts Saturday, October 19, and you can find an early vote center here.
  • 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. 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:

  • Find your local election clerk’s office, where you can drop off your ballot, vote in-person before Election Day, or register to vote in-person up through Election Day.
  • Request and track your absentee ballot. Ballots are getting mailed out now to those who request them. When applying for an absentee ballot, if you want to join the Permanent Mail Ballot List, check the box indicating that you’d like to automatically receive a mail ballot for each future election for which you’re eligible. When you receive your absentee ballot, be sure to sign the return envelope so your vote is counted.
  • Register to vote.
  • Find early voting locations. In 2022, Michigan voters voted to approve Proposal 2 to expand access to the ballot box. Now, every voter has the opportunity to vote early in their community.
  • If you plan to vote on Election Day itself, click here to find your polling place for Election Day. Note: You DO NOT need a photo ID to vote. You will be asked to show ID when you check in to vote on Election Day, but if you don’t have one, you can still vote — you’ll just have to fill out a simple form. Find more information about voting in-person here.
  • See your sample ballot.
  • Find information for voters with disabilities.
  • And more!

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.

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.