Election Guide 2020 - Banner

Key Dates and Deadlines

Thursday, Sept. 24: Early voting begins, absentee ballots begin being mailed

Monday, Oct. 19: Online, postmarked-by voter registration deadline

Tuesday, Oct. 20 through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3: In-person registration allowed with local clerk

Friday, Oct. 30 at 5 p.m.: Deadline to request absentee ballot by mail

Monday, Nov. 2: Absentee/mail-in postmarked-by deadline

Tuesday, Nov. 3: In-person voting

Register to Vote

To register to vote in the next election, you must make one of these deadlines:

Online: 15 days or more before the election

By Mail: envelopes must be postmarked at least 15 days before the election

In-person: applications must be handed into the clerk's office or satellite locations by 8 p.m. on election day

Voters who have moved should update the address on their voter registration. To do this, voters must “re-register” with the new address. Deadlines for voter registration also apply to voters updating their registration.

Absentee Voting

Voters wishing to cast an absentee ballot may apply for an absentee ballot starting 75 days before an election.

Online application: request must be submitted by 5 p.m. the Friday before the election.

Application by mail: request must be received by local clerk's office by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election.

In-person application: if voter is already registered, the application must be turned into the local clerk's office by 4 p.m. the day before the election

In-person application: if voter is not registered, they must be in line at the local clerk's office by 8 p.m. on election day. Those voters may register and then fill out an absentee ballot in the clerk's office

In-person Voting

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day

Voters are not required to possess a photo ID to vote in Michigan. Voters without a photo ID may sign an affidavit and will be issued a ballot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have a valid ID?

If you do not have a valid ID, you can still vote. You have to sign an affidavit saying you are the person who is voting, and then you can vote.

What if I need to change my absentee ballot?

If you have already voted absentee and wish to change your vote, you can spoil your ballot by submitting a written request to your city or township clerk. You must sign the request and state if they would like a new absentee ballot mailed to them or if they will vote at the polls. This request must be received by 2 p.m. the Saturday before the election if received by mail. An absentee ballot may be spoiled in person at the clerk’s office until 4 p.m. the Monday prior to the election. The voter can obtain a new absentee ballot there or vote at the polls. There is no option on Election Day to spoil an absentee ballot that has been received by the clerk.

What are my voting options if I'm a member of the armed forces or overseas?

Click here to learn how to vote if you are a member of the armed forces or are otherwise overseas.