Voting in Michigan

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The policies governing voter participation are enacted and enforced primarily at the state level. These policies, which include voter identification requirements, early voting provisions, online voter registration systems, and more, dictate the conditions under which people cast their ballots in their respective states.

This article includes the following information about voting policies in Michigan:

See Election administration in Michigan for more additional information about election administration in the state, including voter list maintenance policies, provisional ballot rules, and post-election auditing practices.

Do you have questions about your elections? Looking for information about your local election official? Click here to use U.S. Vote Foundation’s election official lookup tool.

Voter registration

Eligibility and registration details

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Michigan, you must be a United States citizen and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days. Voters must be at least 18 years old by Election Day.[1]

Voters may register to vote online, by mail, or in person at clerk's offices in their county, city, or township or at a state department branch office at least 15 days before an election.[1]

Same-day registration is available on Election Day and during the 14 days prior. "Individuals who register to vote within the 14-day period immediately preceding an election must appear in person at their city or township clerk’s office and provide proof of residency."[1] Acceptable documents for proving residency include:

  • Michigan driver’s license or State ID card
  • Current utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck or government check
  • Other government document[1]


In-person voting

Poll times

See also: State poll opening and closing times

In Michigan, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Most of the state is observes Eastern Time, while several counties observe Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[2]

Voter identification

See also: Voter identification laws by state

Michigan requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[3]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of July 2023. Click here for the Michigan Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.[4]

  • Michigan driver’s license
  • Michigan personal identification card
  • Current driver’s license or personal ID card issued by another state
  • Current operator's or chauffeur's license
  • Current federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID
  • Current U.S. passport
  • Current military identification card with photo
  • Current student identification with photo from an educational institution
  • Current tribal identification card with photo.

A voter who does not have an acceptable form of identification can cast a ballot by signing an affidavit.[3]

Voters can obtain a state identification card at a secretary of state branch office for $10. Voters over the age of 65, voters who are blind, and voters whose driving privileges have been terminated due to a physical or mental disability can obtain an identification card for free. Additionally, voters who can present a reason for having the fee waived may also obtain an ID for free. Visit the Michigan secretary of state’s page or call (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424) for more information.[3]

Early voting

See also: Early voting

Michigan permits early voting in the form of in-person absentee voting. For more information, click here.

Absentee/mail-in voting

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

Any Michigan voter can cast an absentee ballot. To vote absentee, a request must be received online or by mail no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election. In person requests can be made until 4 p.m. on the day before Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must then be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.[5]


Local election officials

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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

See also: Voting rights for convicted felons

In Michigan, people convicted of a felony that are in prison are not eligible to vote. Upon completion of their prison time, voting rights are automatically restored.[6]

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[7]

Noteworthy events

Proposal 2 adds new election rules to state constitution (2022)

See also: Michigan Proposal 2, Voting Policies in Constitution Amendment (2022)

Proposal 2 added several voting and election policies to the Michigan Constitution. As of 2022, Article II, Section 4(a) of the Michigan Constitution provided voters with specific election-related rights. Proposal 3, which voters approved in 2018, added these rights. Proposal 2 added language regarding additional voting-related rights and provided citizens standing to bring legal actions to enforce these in circuit court.[8] A detailed list of the initiative's provisions is found here.

Some of the policies Proposal 2 added to the Michigan Constitution were new, such as early voting. Others existed as state statute and were codified as constitutional law, such as the state's requirement that voters show identification or sign an affidavit when voting in person.

The ballot summary was as follows:[9]

“

This proposed constitutional amendment would:

  • Recognize fundamental right to vote without harassing conduct;
  • Require military or overseas ballots be counted if postmarked by election day;
  • Provide voter right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement;
  • Provide voter right to single application to vote absentee in all elections;
  • Require state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes, and postage for absentee applications and ballots;
  • Provide that only election officials may conduct post-election audits;
  • Require nine days of early in-person voting;
  • Allow donations to fund elections, which must be disclosed;
  • Require canvass boards certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast.[10]
 ”

As provisions of the Michigan Constitution, legislators can not repeal or amend these policies without first passing a constitutional amendment, which would require voter approval.

Court invalidated 2020 mail-in ballot signature verification rule (2021)

On March 9, 2021, Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Murray invalidated an absentee/mail-in ballot rule instituted by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) in the run-up to the November 3, 2020, general election. Murray held that Benson's rule, which directed local clerks to presume validity when verifying signatures on absentee/mail-in ballot applications and return envelopes, had been issued in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).[11][12]

Benson's guidance, issued on October 6, 2020, directed local clerks to treat signatures as valid if there were "any redeeming qualities in the application or return envelope signature as compared to the signature on file." "Redeeming qualities" were described as including, but not being limited to, "similar distinctive flourishes" and "more matching features than non-matching features." Allegan County Clerk Robert Genetski and the Republican Party of Michigan filed suit against Benson, alleging that her guidance violated the state's election laws and the Administrative Procedures Act. The plaintiffs asked that the court strike down the guidance as unlawful and enjoin its enforcement in future elections.[11][12]

Murray sided with the plaintiffs, finding that Benson's guidance was in fact a rule "that should have been promulgated in accordance with the APA. And absent compliance with the APA, the 'rule' is invalid." Under the Administrative Procedures Act, a state agency is required to follow formal rulemaking procedures (e.g., when establishing policies that "do not merely interpret or explain the statute of rules from which the agency derives its authority," but rather "establish the substantive standards implementing the program."[11][12]

As of March 18, 2021, It was unclear whether the state would appeal Murray's decision.[11][12]

Election agencies

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See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Michigan can contact the following state and federal agencies.

Michigan Secretary of State: Bureau of Elections

Physical address: 430 W. Allegan St., Lansing, Michigan 48918
Mailing address: PO Box 20126, Lansing, Michigan 48901-0726
Telephone: 517-335-3234
Tollfree: 800-292-5973
Fax: 517-335-3235
Website: https://www.michigan.gov/sos

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471

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See also

Elections in Michigan


External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Michigan Secretary of State, "Registering to Vote," accessed April 16, 2023
  2. ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Frequently Asked Questions: Elections and Voting," accessed April 16, 2023
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Michigan.gov, "Notice to Voters: Voter Identification Requirement in Effect," accessed April 17, 2023
  4. ↑ 'Bill Track 50, "MI SB0373," accessed June 21, 2023
  5. ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Vote at home (Absentee)," April 17, 2023
  6. ↑ The Office of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, "Returning Citizens - You Can Vote!" accessed April 17, 2023
  7. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," April 6, 2023
  8. ↑ Michigan Board of State Canvassers, "Promote the Vote 2022," accessed February 1, 2022
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named language
  10. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Michigan Court of Claims, "Genetski v. Benson: Opinion and Order Granting Summary Disposition in Part to Plaintiffs and Granting Summary Disposition in Part to Defendants," March 9, 2021
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 M Live, "Court invalidates Michigan rule on how to verify absentee ballot application signatures," March 16, 2021
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