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.
Request an absentee ballot online
Voters with print disabilities may apply for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot that can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to the local clerk.
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.
Locate your local clerk's office
Print an absentee ballot application
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.
Voters can mail their completed and signed absentee ballot to their local clerk’s office using the provided pre-paid envelope.
Deadline: Mailed absentee ballots from all voters, except military and overseas voters, must be received by the voter's local clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots not received by this time will not be counted. Voters are encouraged to mail an absentee ballot at least two weeks before Election Day to avoid potential mailing delays. Military and overseas voter absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 6 days after the election.
Voters can return a completed and signed absentee ballot to one of their clerk’s secure drop boxes located in their city or township.
Drop boxes look similar to postal boxes but are specifically designed to securely store absentee ballots.
Local clerks and their staff regularly collect absentee ballots from drop boxes and securely transfer them to the clerk’s office where they are stored until processing begins.
Deadline: Ballots must be inserted into a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
Voters can bring their completed absentee ballot to their precinct to insert directly into a tabulator.*
The election inspector must verify that a voter is in the correct location and that the ballot has been issued to the correct voter.
Once this information is confirmed, voters will receive a secrecy sleeve and can insert their completed absentee ballot into the tabulator, just like at a polling place on Election Day.
*Detroit registered voters are unable to tabulate their absentee ballots at Detroit polling places. On Election Day, Detroit absentee ballots may be returned by drop box or to the local clerk’s office.
Deadline: Election Day
Voters can bring their completed absentee ballot to their early voting site to insert directly into a tabulator.
The election inspector must verify that a voter is in the correct location and that the ballot has been issued to the correct voter.
Once this information is confirmed, voters will receive a secrecy sleeve and can insert their completed absentee ballot into the tabulator, just like at a polling place on Election Day.
Deadline: Voters may submit their absentee ballot at their early voting site through the entire early voting period ending the Sunday before Election Day.
Voters can return their completed and signed absentee ballot in person to 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.
Deadline: Absentee ballots must be received at a voter’s local clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
Absentee voting in Michigan is a secure and time-tested system based on standards for election security adopted from national best practices. Absentee voting security measures include:
