All registered voters in Michigan have the right to vote by mail using an absentee ballot delivered to their home. Voters can also request an absentee ballot directly from their local clerk’s office. Absentee ballots are available beginning 40 days prior to every election.
Michigan voters can now join the permanent absentee ballot list by checking a box on the application to automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election.
A voter must submit an absentee ballot application to their local clerk before an absentee ballot can be sent (unless they are on the permanent absentee ballot list). Absentee ballots are available and distributed beginning 40 days before the election.
Michigan voters can decide to be placed on a permanent absentee ballot list. Their local clerk will then automatically mail them an absentee ballot for all local, state, and federal elections.
Select a tab to review options for requesting an absentee ballot.
For information on military and overseas absentee voting, visit the military and overseas voting section.
Voters can submit a completed absentee ballot application to their local clerk online. Once the ballot application has been processed, the absentee ballot will be mailed to the voter beginning 40 days before the election.
Requirements: The following voter information is required to apply online:
Deadline: Online applications may be submitted until 5 p.m. the Friday before Election Day. To ensure there is enough time to receive and return an absentee ballot, plan on submitting the absentee ballot application online at least 15 days before Election Day.
Voters can request an absentee ballot by mailing a completed absentee ballot application to their local clerk. Ballot applications may be printed from the Michigan Department of State website or picked up at a local clerk's office. Applications mailed to a voter from their local clerk will include a pre-paid return envelope.
Requirements: The following information is required to apply by mail:
Deadline: Completed applications may be mailed, placed in an official drop box, or dropped off at the clerk's office. Mailed applications must be received by a voter’s local city or township clerk’s office by 5 p.m. the Friday before Election Day.
To ensure there is enough time to receive and return an absentee ballot, plan on mailing the absentee ballot application at least 15 days before Election Day.
Voters can visit their local clerk’s office in person to request, complete, and submit their absentee ballot application on site. Voters requesting an application from their local clerk may also take it home with them to complete and submit later.
Requirements: The following information is required to apply in person:
Deadline: Individuals registered to vote at their current address have until 4 p.m. the day before Election Day to submit an application in person at their local clerk’s office.
Eligible voters who are not currently registered to vote in Michigan, or who have not updated their registration with a current address in Michigan, have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to visit their local clerk’s office to register to vote or update their registration address and request an absentee ballot to complete and submit on site.
So long as an eligible resident is in line at their clerk’s office by 8 p.m., they may register to vote (or update their registration) and cast an absentee ballot.
Voters can securely track the status of their absentee ballot application and ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote. Voters may also contact their local clerk’s office with questions about the receipt of their application. Locate your local clerk's office
When will I get my absentee ballot in the mail?Voters can securely track the mailing and receipt of their absentee ballot application and absentee ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote. Voters can contact their local clerk’s office with questions about the mailing or receipt of their application or absentee ballot.
Locate your local clerk's office
Voters with a disability who require assistance in completing their absentee ballot application may receive assistance from another person, provided that the person assisting the voter is not the voter's employer, agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a union to which the voter belongs. The individual who provided the assistance must input their information in the provided space on the absentee ballot application.
Voters with disabilities can also request an accessible absentee ballot by submitting an accessible absentee ballot application online at Michigan.gov/Vote. When requesting an accessible absentee ballot, the voter will be emailed an electronic ballot and can mark the ballot on an electronic device, using their own assistive technology, and print and mail or otherwise return the ballot to their local clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters can also download an accessible application to vote absentee and submit it to their local clerk’s office by mail, email, or in person. Or they may visit their local clerk’s office to request an absentee ballot in person. Locate your local clerk's office
Can military and overseas Michigan voters request an absentee ballot online?Registered voters in Michigan using a Michigan Absent Voter Ballot Application have the option to join the permanent absentee ballot list and will receive an absentee ballot in every election going forward. however, MOVE voters must complete a FCPA every year to ensure that they are sent a ballot early enough to allow for overseas mail Application that are received after the November election will apply to all of the next year's elections. Explore military and overseas voting
Why did I receive an application for someone else in the mail?Organizations like political parties, special interest groups and non-profit organizations frequently send absent voter ballot applications in the mail, sometimes using outdated voter registries and mailing addresses. If a voter receives election mail from a previous resident, they should write “Not at address” on the piece of mail and return to USPS.
Local clerks who are responsible for providing absentee ballots to registered voters will only provide an absentee ballot to a registered voter if they have completed and submitted an absentee ballot application.
Learn more about election security
Absentee ballot envelopes will contain a ballot, a secrecy sleeve, and ballot marking instructions. Voters who make a mistake when filling out an absentee ballot must request a new ballot from their local clerk’s office for the error to be corrected. Mistakes may include:
Filling out an absentee ballot: Voters should complete their absentee ballot by carefully following the written instructions included with the ballot. Instructions may differ based on the type of election. Voters may contact their local clerk with questions about how to complete an absentee ballot.
Inserting the ballot into the secrecy sleeve: Completed ballots should be inserted into the secrecy sleeve as instructed.
Signing an absentee ballot envelope: Voters must sign and date the return envelope on the provided space. Voters should use their signature as shown on their driver’s license, state ID, or voter registration application.
If a voter’s signature does not fit in the provided space, a shorter signature that resembles the signature on record may be used. Voters may also sign a shortened version of their first name, for example, “Bill” for the name “William”.
Returning the absentee ballot: Voters have several options to securely return their completed and signed absentee ballot envelope. Absentee ballots must be received by a voter’s local clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted, with the exception of military and overseas ballots which must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by their local clerk within 6 days after the election in order to be counted.
