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Register to vote
Register to vote
Voter registration in Michigan
Michigan voters are encouraged to register as early as possible before an election. Methods and requirements for voter registration depend on the following deadlines:
If there are 15+ days before an election, voters can register online, by mail, or in person.
Within 14 days of an election, and on Election Day, voters may only register by visiting their local clerk’s office to register in person with proof of residency documentation.
Voters can check their voter registration status and look up their local clerk information at Michigan.gov/Vote.
Eligibility requirements
To register to vote in Michigan, an individual must:
☑ Be a Michigan resident
☑ Be a United States citizen
☑ 17.5 years of age and 18 by Election Day to vote (eligible 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote)
☑ Not be currently serving a sentence in jail or prison
Check your voter registration status
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How do I know if I'm already registered to vote?
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What if I'm a new Michigan resident?
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What if I'm in the military or live overseas?
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Can I register to vote if I'm a college or university student?
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Can I register to vote if I have a criminal record?
How to register to vote in Michigan
Methods and requirements for voter registration depend on the following deadlines:
If there are 15+ days before an election, voters can register online, by mail, or in person.
Within 14 days of an election, and on Election Day, voters may only register by visiting their local clerk’s office or satellite office to register in person with proof of residency documentation.
Select a tab to view the options for registering to vote
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At a clerk's office
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Online
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By mail
Register in person at a clerk or satellite office
*Within 14 days of an election, voters must register to vote in person at their clerk’s office or satellite office and present proof of residency documentation.
Requirements:
- If you're registering within 14 days of an election, you must provide proof of residency.
- If you register to vote in person, you will be asked for a photo ID. If you don't have one, you can sign a simple form called an affidavit and then register to vote.
How to register: A voter registration application may be requested in person at a local clerk’s office or a satellite clerk’s office location. The application may be completed on-site and submitted or taken home and submitted later.
Deadline: Applications must be received by, or postmarked as sent to your local clerk's office at least 15 days before Election Day in order to be processed in time for the next election. Within 14 days of an election, voters must submit a voter registration application in person and present proof of residency at their local clerk’s office. Learn more about proof of residency.
Voters in line by 8 p.m. on Election Day have the right to register to vote in person at their local clerk’s office.
Register to vote online (online registration for the upcoming election is not available within 14 days of an election)
Requirements:
- Michigan driver’s license number or Michigan ID number
AND - Last 4-digits of Social Security number
How to register: Visit Michigan.gov/Vote to complete and submit an online application.
Deadline: Voters may register to vote online 15 or more days prior to Election Day.
Within 14 days of an election, voters must register in person and present proof of residency at their local clerk’s office.
Register by mail (registration by mail for the upcoming election is not available within 14 days of an election)
Requirements:
- Michigan driver’s license number or Michigan state ID number
OR - Last 4-digits of Social Security number
OR - If you do not have a Michigan driver’s license, Michigan ID number, or Social Security number, you can check the box that says “I don’t have a valid Michigan-issued driver’s license or Michigan-issued state ID card, or a Social Security number.” If you do not have either of these forms of identification and you are registering to vote in Michigan for the first time, you can include a COPY of a current and valid photo ID, paycheck stub, utility bill, bank statement, or government document that lists your name and address.
How to register: Printable applications are available online. Voters may also pick up an application at their local clerk's office or request that one be mailed to them. Completed applications can be mailed or scanned and emailed to the local clerk.
Deadline: Scanned and emailed applications should be sent to the voter's local clerk 15 or more days before Election Day. Mailed registration applications must be postmarked as sent at least 15 days before Election Day.
Within 14 days of an election, voters must register in person and present proof of residency at their local clerk’s office.
Para obtener información sobre el registro de votantes, visite Michigan.gov/SOSEspanol
Michigan.gov/SOSArabic للحصول على معلومات تسجيل الناخبين باللغة العربية، قم بزيارة الموقع
ভোটার নিবন্ধনের তথ্য বাংলায় পেতে, ভিজিট করুন এই ঠিকানায় Michigan.gov/SOSBangla
For all other languages, visit Michigan.gov/SOSLanguages
Proof of residency requirements
Proof of residency is official documentation (paper or digital) that lists a voter’s current name and address. When registering to vote within 14 days of an election, voters must present one form of proof of residency in person at a local clerk’s office.
Proof of residency examples include: |
Proof of residency DOES NOT include: |
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✓ Michigan driver’s license, state ID, or U.S. Passport ✓ A utility bill ✓ Insurance documents (health, car, home, etc.) ✓ A bank or credit card statement ✓ Financial aid or school enrollment documents ✓ A lease agreement ✓ A paycheck or other government check ✓ Other government document |
✖ A package, parcel, or magazine received by mail ✖ A business card ✖ A club or membership card |
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What happens after I submit my application?
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If I register to vote on Election Day, what are my options for voting?
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What if I move to a new address after registering to vote?
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What is a satellite clerk’s office?
Update or cancel voter registration
Updating voter registration information is necessary when an eligible voter has:
- Moved to a new address within Michigan
- Recently moved to Michigan
- Changed their legal name
To update their voter registration, voters must “re-register” using updated information. Please view the voter registration section for options on how to register. Deadlines for voter registration also apply to individuals updating their voter registration.
As part of Michigan’s automatic voter registration law, when a registered voter updates their voter registration address, the voter’s Michigan driver’s license or Michigan state ID address is also updated. Similarly, when a registered voter updates their Michigan driver's license or Michigan state ID address, their voter registration address will also be updated.
Cancellation of voter registration usually occurs when:
- A voter moves away from their voting jurisdiction, for example, to another state.
- A voter dies.
- A voter registration is identified as a duplicate.
- A voter requests that his or her registration be canceled.
Voters who wish to cancel their registration can make a written request to their city or township clerk that their registration record be canceled.
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What if I received a notice of cancellation?
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What is the ERIC program?
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How are deceased individuals removed from the voter rolls?
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How are voter rolls maintained in Michigan?
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Where can I view voter registration statistics?
Hosting a voter registration drive
Michigan encourages residents to engage in civic activities, like running a voter registration drive! There are no complex state regulations, testing or training requirements to organize a voter registration drive.
View more information on running a voter registration drive in the following section or contact a local clerk’s office for more details.
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What are the requirements to run a voter registration drive?
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What is the process for registering voters?
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Can my organization use an API to set-up our own online voter registration form?