Absentee Voting

Absent voter ballots are available to registered voters for all elections. 

Absentee voting security

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:

  • Records and procedures to prevent double or fraudulent voting.
  • Official signature verification to confirm a ballot’s validity.
  • Secure, locked drop box locations and video monitoring.
  • Processing featuring bi-partisan election workers.

Absentee voting in Michigan

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 the City 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.

Absent Voter Ballot Applications

Check your voter registration at the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Request an absentee ballot online

Voters can submit a completed absentee ballot application to the City 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:

  • Full name
  • Michigan driver's license or ID number or acknowledgement that the voter does not have a Michigan driver’s license or ID
  • Date of birth
  • Eye color
  • Last four digits of the voters Social Security number
  • Mailing address
  • An uploaded signature or authorization to use your stored digital signature on file with the Secretary of State

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

Completing and returning an absentee ballot

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:

  • Signing in the wrong place.
  • Listing the incorrect date.
  • Signing with a different signature than what is on file with your local clerk.
  • Accidentally marking a non-preferred vote on the ballot.

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 the City Clerk's Office 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 provided, 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 at the City 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.

How can I track the status of my absentee ballot application?

You can track when the City Clerk mails your absentee ballot and when it is received by their office online.

Track the status of your application

You can also sign up to receive electronic notification on ballot status on Michigan.gov/Vote while updating your voter registration, when registering to for the first time vote, or when submitting an online ballot application.

NOTE: If you chose to vote your absent ballot in person at an Early Voting or Election Day location, this information will not update on Michigan.gov/Vote or send a notification if you are subscribed to notifications. Ballot tracking is limited to absent voter ballot and ballot application activity. Early in person voting and Election Day voting ballots cannot be tracked, as the voter is responsible for casting their ballot in the tabulator directly.