Voter Registration in Michigan

Attention: Voter information and identification requirements may change prior to an election. Please check the Secretary of State website to make sure you have the most current information.

Register to Vote in Michigan

If you would like to participate in Michigan elections, you must register to vote with the Michigan Secretary of State, including at any branch offices, the offices of your local city or township clerk, and other state agencies.

What are the Voter Eligibility Requirements in Michigan?

To qualify for voter registration in Michigan, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be a resident of Michigan, and of the city/township you're registering in.
  • Be at least 18 years old by the next election date.
  • NOT currently imprisoned for a felony offense.*

*Your voting rights are restored once you are no longer incarcerated. You will need to re-register to vote.

When you visit the polling booths to vote on election day, you will need to provide identification, such as your:

  • Driver's license or ID card.
  • U.S. passport.
  • Military ID card.
  • Student identification.
  • Tribal ID card.

NOTE: If you're unable to provide acceptable photo identification, you can vote by signing an affidavit.

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Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

How to Register to Vote in Michigan

Eligible Michigan citizens may registered to vote at any time through Election Day IF they register in person at their city or township clerk’s office with proof of Michigan residency that matches your driver's license or ID card.

All other voter registration methods are required to be completed no less than 15 days before an election. 

You can register to vote online,  by mail and in person by submitting a completed State of Michigan Voter Registration Application (Form ED-121) to your city or township clerk. Voter registration forms are available at many locations.

You can also process voter registration at your local MI SOS branch office when you apply for a driver's license/ID card, or update your address.

Once your voter registration has been processed, your city or township clerk will issue you a MI voter identification card.

NOTE: If you're registering for the first time and submitting your application by mail, you will be required to submit a copy of your photo identification. See the application form for further details.

MI Military and Overseas Voters

If you're currently living overseas or in active military duty, you may register to vote through the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

Just complete a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) (Form 76) and return it to your local Michigan election office by mail, e-mail, or fax.

The FPCA allows you to request absentee ballots for all elections in the calendar year that you apply.

You will need to re-submit a FPCA every year you are away and every time you change your address.

NOTE: All other voters who are eligible for absentee voting can register using the standard method outlined above. Visit the state's website for information on requesting your absentee ballot.

Absentee Ballots

MI allows all registered residents to vote by absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason for doing so. You can request an absentee ballot:

Requests for an absent voter ballot be mailed to you requires that the written request be received by your clerk no later than 4 p.m. the Friday before the election.

In order to have your vote counted you must return the absentee ballot to the clerk's office no later than you have until 5 p.m. on election day. 

Deadline to Register to Vote in MI

Michigan citizens may register to vote at any time through Election Day if they register in person at their clerk's office and provide proof of Michigan residency.

All other methods of registering to vote require that the registration is received by the clerk's office at least 15 days before the election date.

Check Your Michigan Voter Registration Status

To check the status of your voter registration information and view a sample ballot for the upcoming elections, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center on the Secretary of State website.

Change Your Voter Name or Address

You must re-register to vote every time you move to a new city or township in Michigan.

To update the name or address on your voter registration, simply re-submit the State of Michigan Voter Registration Application (Form ED-121) by mail or in person to your local city or township clerk or at a Michigan Secretary of State branch office.

You can also update your information online at the ExpressSOS website.

Forms

76
Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application
Register to vote AND request an absentee ballot if you're currently living outside Michigan.
ED-121
Voter Registration Application/ Driver License/Personal ID Card Address Change
Register to vote in Michigan AND/OR notify the Secretary of State of a change in address.
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